From partner draw to 5- truck fleet —NCB SME Fund fuels Maragh’s haulage growth

KINGSTON, Jamaica – When 32-year-old entrepreneur Romario Maragh decided to start his trucking business in 2018, it was a ‘partner draw’ that helped him buy his first used truck. Today, Ashmar’s Trucking & Haulage operates five trucks, moving containers and other cargo from Jamaica’s ports to customers across the island. NCB has financed the trucks that have supported the expansion of the business, including one acquired through the first NCB SME Growth Fund.

Now, Maragh is looking to add another truck to his fleet through the $2 billion NCB SME Growth Fund II. “When an entrepreneur comes to us for financing, the real question is what that financing will allow the business to do next,” said Perrin Gayle, executive vice president, Retail Banking at National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCB). “For Maragh, another truck means greater capacity to serve his customers and pursue more business.

That is what we want the SME Growth Fund to facilitate, giving viable Jamaican businesses access to the capital they need to take their next step.” Launched in April 2026, this second iteration of NCB’s SME Growth Fund received more than 2,000 applications from businesses seeking financing within the first two months. To date, just over $2.048 billion in loans have been identified within the approved SME Growth Fund II rate bands. His father operates a trucking business overseas, while his grandfather and stepfather were also involved in the industry.

But when he established Ashmar’s Trucking & Haulage, he had to build the business for himself. As the company expanded, his relationship with NCB Business Banker Tamara Spence became an even more important part of that journey. Maragh recalled that securing financing was initially a learning experience, particularly around the financial records and business practices required.

He credits Spence with helping him understand those requirements and prepare the business to access financing. “When I see something I want to buy, she helps me to figure out the best way for me to get it,” he said. “She has played such a key role in helping my business to grow.

I don’t know if I could have done as much without her.” For Maragh, access to financing has also changed the type of equipment he is able to put into the business. Having started with a used truck, he now prioritises purchasing new, reliable …