DURING the 2018 invitation for Micro and Small Business Grant (MSBG) proposals, the Ministry for Industry and Trade received 47,045 applications from all over Fiji.
Officiating at the cheque handover at Savusavu today, Minister Faiyaz Koya said overall, they had assisted 30,055 micro and small entrepreneurs around the country to date.
Mr Koya said this had impacted the lives of 150,275 Fijians, with the total investment by the Government of $28.44million since 2014.
“In this regard, the ministry has partnered with the Fiji Development Bank and now your information is on their database, meaning you will be able to source finance and related advice from FDB, when you wish to expand your business,” he said.
“In addition to the MSBG, there are a number of other initiatives that target MSMEs.
“One such program is the Standardised Roadside stalls.
“Through this program, the Government provides vendors standardised stalls to sell their produce from.”
Mr Koya said the project would not only improve the standards, presentation and hygiene of produce, but also assist to gradually mainstream vendors from the informal to the formal sector.
He said this initiative would soon be launched in the Northern Division.
