More of Our Businesses Encouraged to Go Green
Mr Ali said he was confident that the workshops will be beneficial in helping move the participating businesses to the next level
As Fiji transforms itself and prepares to face the future, we need new business ideas and concepts.
This is why the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE), have organised a series of ‘Go Green’ business workshops not only in Fiji but in Vanuatu and Kiribati.
These workshops are focused on engaging private sector in addressing issues relating to implementation of sustainable development goals, climate change, waste management and other environmental issues. Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism Permanent Secretary Shaheen Ali says the objective of the workshop was in line with the overall vision of the Fijian Government.
Sustainable solutions
“We need to continue to strive to find sustainable solutions and green business models with a view to mitigating and adapting to these harsh realities,” Mr Ali said. “This is where, we as a country, are tapping into the grassroots and communities and garnering commitment of businesses and civil society.
“We are looking for initiatives and measures that will encourage more domestic businesses to adopt green technologies and processes – simply put - go green.
“In this regard, the 2018-2019 National Budget has continued a number of environment-related initiatives, at the same time introducing new and innovative initiatives, through policies, to focus on ‘green businesses.’ “As our country transforms itself and prepares to face the future, we need new ideas and concepts.
“We need innovation and new technologies, we need new business models, new types of products, new ways of doing and new ways of thinking.”
And that is what the Green - preneurs Week was all about.
“This is one reason we have rendered our support to the GGGI and partners,” he said. “This workshop provides the Ministry the opportunity to create more awareness on the Young Entrepreneurship Scheme or YES, and make young Fijians more aware of the importance of sustainable development. “The Fijian Government through YES is aiming to bring out innovative, fresh and new business ideas and products, which will grow Fiji in a sustainable manner.
“The question we get asked over and over again, why the ‘young’.