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Fiji: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) groups, entrepreneurs, creative artists, and relevant stakeholders convened at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Suva today to participate in the Pre-National Economic Summit & Budget Dialogue.
The event was part of a series of awareness approaches by the MSME community to urge the Government for inclusion in MSME policy decisions and to boost the entrepreneurial and business eco-system in Fiji.
Deputy PM and Minister for External Trade, Cooperatives, SMEs and Communications, Manoa Kamikamica, thanked those present for their active participation in the dialogue. Minister Kamikamica, Permanent Secretary Shaheen Ali and members of the Fiscal Review Committee had the opportunity to have consultations with the participants – some of whom represented the small tourism operators, creative industries, wholesale and retail, restaurant/tavern/food, and ICT, amongst others.
DPM Kamikamica assured MSMEs present that the Fiji Government considers the recommendations made by them and will find avenues of assisting them in areas that need attention in order to elevate their businesses further as they play a vital role in the country’s economy.
Fiji’s MSME employs about 60 per cent of Fiji’s total workforce, and its contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product grew from 15 per cent in 2019 to now 18 per cent.
Also present at the discussions were representatives from the Employment Relations Advisory Board, the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s (UNRC) Office, the Chair of Investment Fiji, the Chair of the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF) and representatives of seven development partners working in the MSME space.
The event was supported by the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF), International Labour Organization (ILO), Pacific Community (SPC), Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Business Assistance Fiji (BAF), Investment Fiji and the Ministry of Trade, Cooperatives, SME and Communications.