MORE than 6000 MSMEs have been trained on tax literacy, bookkeeping and financial management in the past two and a half years.
Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) chief executive officer Udit Singh revealed this during the MSME Day Celebrations in Nadi on Wednesday.
He said in the past three months, over 1200 rural women entrepreneurs were trained on tax lodgement and using the taxpayer online service (TPOS) platform.
Mr Singh said this was to help the entrepreneurs access grants and formalise their businesses.
“Our work through training, community days and partnerships has one goal: to build confidence, promote voluntary compliance, and help MSMEs grow sustainably,” he said.
“To our FRCS MSME teams- thank you for your passion and dedication. Your work has laid the foundation for a more transparent, supportive and responsive tax system.”
Mr Singh said the FRCS MSME Support Centre was launched under the 2020/2021 Budget to provide tailored tax and customs advisory services.
“MSMEs drive job creation, income generation, rural development, and the empowerment of youth and women.
“Despite early challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and perceptions of fear and complexity among MSME taxpayers, we have pushed forward with a clear focus: to make tax compliance easier, accessible, and empowering.
“We’ve shifted from a reactive to a proactive approach. Instead of waiting for MSMEs to come to us, we created platforms that reach out, educate and support them.
“Today is not just a celebration. It’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises, which are the lifeblood of our economy.”