Fiji business vendors celebrate MSMEs day
FIJIAN business vendors celebrated International Day for Micoro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs), a day dedicated to the work of local MSMEs who form the backbone of societies globally.
And to celebrate the occasion, the United Nations (UN) joined colleagues from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and partners from the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) to host a mini ‘market day’ in front of the Kadavu House yesterday.
The market provided a free space for local MSMEs to sell food and products, including jewelry, crafts, fabric, sulu to members of the public and staff who work inside the Kadavu House building.
ILO office for Pacific Island countries director Matin Karimli said the event was to pay tribute and celebrate the contribution to the economic growth of the entrepreneurs.
“Globally, MSMEs account for 90 per cent of business, 60-70 per cent of employment and 50 per cent of GDP worldwide,” he said.
“We’ve supported the local entrepreneurs throughout the years, through different means and we support them to build capacity by providing training and we also help them to prepare their respective documents so that their business can grow.”
Acting UN resident co-ordinator to Fiji Levan Boudaze said the importance of MSMEs cannot be understated.
He said MSMEs were crucial contributions to national economies and helped sustain livelihoods especially among women, vulnerable groups, young people and the poor.
“Many of them are emerging from extremely difficult situations following COVID-19 and we hope events like this one give them an opportunity to grow their business,” he said.
He added the UN encourages policymakers to move past recovery and consider ways to lower and eliminate barriers faced by MSME’s, improve the business environment and access to finance, markets and technology.