COMMERCE MINISTRY
They support villages to get into business
Good news for the villagers of Narikoso, Ono, Kadavu. The Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, recently, assisted in the relocation of the Narikoso Village, through the Matanaruarua Cooperative, in response to the calamity of climate change. The ministry through Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Fiji, have a number of programmes that aim to support, improve and encourage the development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
Integrated Human Resource Development Programme (IHRDP)
One such programme is the Integrated Human Resource Development Programme (IHRDP) which facilitates the provision of grants for communal income generating projects.
The participation of IHRDP was to improve the livelihood of the Narikoso village community through multi-layered income generating projects.
“The Ministry has supported the Matanaruarua Co-operative through enhancing poultry farming, co-operative store development, fishing and bee-keeping which have been identified as core income generating activities undertaken by the village,” MSME Fiji said.
“In support of these income generating activities, the Ministry has provided financial literacy training, poultry feeders, hatchlings, poultry feed, a generator, cooler, an outboard engine, a freezer and technical training for beekeeping inclusive of bee hives.
“The Ministry has additionally delivered advisory services to ensure recipients journey from informal to formal sector and now have registered as a Co-operative. “The Ministry is engaged with all sectors to develop Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
“Through MSME Fiji, the Ministry effectively makes available business trainings, advisories, incubation centres and access to finance through Government grants. In addition, detailed sectorial technical trainings are facilitated to ensure business sustainability remains continual.”
The MSME Fiji works with all sectors, particularly sectors which are resource based that play a vital role in contributing to the Fijian economy.
“These resource based sectors include fisheries, agriculture and forestry to name a few.
“Thus, the Ministry remains at the forefront to improving and developing MSME service and product offering.”
Overall, the Ministry’s focus remains on creating a “Brighter Economic Future for All” through the support, improvement and encouragement of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.