Minister Opens 30 Stalls in Raiwaqa
Thirty market stalls were opened at Raiwaqa yesterday by the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar. This was during the Raiwaqa-Rawai Small and Micro-business Association (SMA) Market Day at the old Raiwaqa market.
“Today’s Market Day theme – ‘work for better unity, help our community’ - is both practical and visionary. It allows stall holders to begin their journey of financial sustainability and will allow them to reach new markets and increase their current sales and monthly income,” she said. Ms Kumar said the Market Day was to support and promote small and micro business owners and also provide an opportunity for self-employment or to create employment for others during COVID times.
“Small and micro enterprises form the backbone of the Fijian economy. They contribute more than 18 per cent of the Gross Domestic Production and provide employment for approximately 60 per cent of the Fijian labour force even though individually they seem insignificant,” Ms Kumar said.
She said Raiwaqa Raiwai SMA was focused on building the business financial capability and marketing and entrepreneurial skills for its members.
Ms Kumar also said the ministry was looking for donors to build SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) markets.
“We want to change the way markets have been operating. We are talking with donors and we hope they come forward,” she said.
New Market Plans
Minister Kumar also confirmed that her ministry was also planning on building a new stwo-storey building close to the Rawai flats by early January.
The facility would have a supermarket, barber shop, medical/dentistry place, and SME market.