ONE STOP SHOP TO HELP SKILLED WORKERS DURING GLOBAL PANDEMIC
ARE YOU AN ENTERPRISING PERSON WHO ONCE HELD A GOOD JOB BUT NOW UNEMPLOYED DUE TO COVID-19?
Under the watch of Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Koya, a unit is there to help anyone wanting to start a small or micro enterprise in Fiji.
Are you an enterprising person who once held a good job, but now unemployed due to the global pandemic COVID-19?
Do you have skills and expertise to run your own business from home, for example a qualified chef, who previously worked at a resort but now out of job, and wants to start a catering business from home?
Do you have the skills, but do not know where to turn to, to get advice about starting and running a business?
Two years ago Government had announced its intention to start a unit under the then Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism. Under the former Minister Premila Kumar, this unit was set up.
Now, under the watch of Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Koya, this unit is a one stop shop for anyone wanting to start a small or micro enterprise in Fiji. There has no doubt always been the need for such a unit which guides people wanting to start their own SME (Small and Medium Enterprise).
Now, the need for this unit is more pressing. Why? Because a big number of SMEs have also felt the brunt of COVID-19. They need guidance on how to stay in business. There are also people, who are out of jobs, but may want to start a small business to earn for the family. This MSME Unit is here to help.
How can someone reach out to the unit? People can reach out through the online platform which is the MCTTT website www. mcttt.gov.fj or through the ministry’s Facebook Page Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport. There is a media team monitoring the page throughout the day and people can either drop in a personal chat or post a comment outlining the type of information and assistance needed.
Do you prefer face to face information? That is not a problem. People can go to:
Suva: Civic Tower, Level 2
Sigatoka located near the Birth, Death and Marriage registration office
Lautoka: First Floor, Roqoroqo i Vuda House, Rakiraki, Savusavu and Labasa
What can the unit guide you on?
• Set up and start a business
• Assist on tax compliance
• Can assist you with funding programmes within Government and also with private sector and donor agencies
• Can seek guidance on how to get a bank loan for businesses
• Also offer business training whereby officials train you on basic book-keeping, how to prepare your financial statements, how to prepare business plans
• Provide assistance on monitoring and evaluation whereby teams are out in the fields monitoring how you are using any grants or funds given and your progress
• Help in registering business
This unit is headed by acting programme director MSME Fiji, Faizal Khan who can also be contacted on 998 6503.
BizFiji platform:
People are also urged to register on the bizFiji website www.business-fiji.com which provides in-depth information and has a presence on the platform, which routinely updates information.