Business Training aims to Promote Fijian Made Brand
The Ministry has so far registered more than 700 businesses with 6,000 products under the Fijian made brand.
Nineteen crafters were recognised yesterday for their participation in the business training.
The collaboration between the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport has paved a way for small business owners to market Fijian made products.
In a joint partnership, a weeklong training was organised for Fijian crafters and business owners with aims to nurture, train and guide them (business owners) to grow.
Nineteen crafters were recognised yesterday for their participation in the business training at the Fiji arts council head office.
Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Koya said the Ministry would bring in more partnership opportunities to promote sustainable growth in the industry.
Cruise Ships
With the increase of cruise ships on our shores, Mr Koya encouraged business owners to grab the opportunity and showcase the Fijian made products.
“The priority is to raise the productivity of micro small medium enterprises and to do so by investing in capabilities they need for the future,” Mr Koya said.
The Ministry has so far registered more than 700 businesses with 6,000 products under the Fijian made brand.
Fiji Arts council director, Maciusela Raitaukala said, crafters were also guided on how to register their businesses.
Mr Raitaukala said women entrepreneurs had shown promising progress over the years.
“This is because of the proper business environment and support provided by MSMEs to encourage small business owners to register their business,” Mr Raitaukala said.
Recipient Akanisi Smith said, the workshop provided her an insightful idea on how to run her business.
It gave her options to safeguard the welfare of her business.
Samuel Cabe, a craft artist who has been in the industry for more than 20 years, said the training equipped him with the need to recognise and use local resources in order to market the Fijian brand.
Mr Cabe acknowledged Fiji art council for giving him and other small business owners opportunities to market and sell their products in order to keep the culture and tradition alive.