The lack of access to finance has been a major impediment for women who were trying to start their own businesses.
This was highlighted by the Minister for Industry and Trade Premila Kumar during a panel discussion on the ‘Lack of Female Leadership in Commerce’ held today in Suva.
She said getting women into the commerce sector was a challenging area and it was important to understand the impediments before addressing why those women were not taking up leadership roles.
“If you want to start your business, where is the money, you need money at every step to register your company to get your business license, you need this money,” said Mrs Kumar.
“You know what is coming in our way, it is the custom and traditions that we have.
“When it came to the distribution of family wealth, traditionally she said in the Indian culture, the inheritance was passed on to the boys and not to the girls.”
The panel discussion was organised by the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
It featured speakers such as FijiCare Insurance Ltd chairman Avi Raju, PKF Senior Partner Sunil Sharma, Fiji Institute of Accountants president Nitesh Lal, Investment Fiji chairperson Jenny Seeto and Solved (Fiji) Pte Ltd CEO John Magnifico.
