By Clive Simpson, Gleaner WriterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE NATIONAL Development Foundation of Jamaica (NDFJ) has closed its Montego Branch after nearly 20 years in operation because it has become unprofitable.
Established in 1985, the Mon-tego Bay branch has been serving clients throughout western Jamaica and on a number of occasions has been named branch of the year.
However, NDFJ public relations manager Paul Johnson confirmed in a telephone interview yesterday that the branch would cease operation as of that day because of 'unprofitability'.
He said the foundation was still suffering from the financial fall-out of the 1990s and as part of the recovery process, has been forced to rationalise its operations, resulting in the decision to close down the Montego Bay branch.
"It is not generating business at that location."
The shutdown has added eight persons to the unemployment line. And it follows the closure of the NDFJ Ocho Rios branch.
Clients throughout western Jamaica will be serviced from head office in Kingston and the Mandeville branch. Also, said Mr. Johnson "we have contracted officers who will continue the work."
With a loan ceiling of $5 million for small business enterprises, as of July the NDFJ has on record 2,130 loans in western Jamaica totalling some $192 million.
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