Two young entrepreneurs yesterday received a grant of $30,000 each to transform their ideas into businesses through the Young Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES).
Christopher Vanualailai is the owner of High Flyer Enterprises Pte Ltd and he plans to introduce his Environmental Monitoring business to service Fiji and the Pacific.
Dhirish Kumar will use his share of the grant to open a Paintball business in Suva.
Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Faiyaz Koya said there was a huge demand for an environmental monitoring service provider in the country.
Mr Koya said there was a gap in the local market for such expertise that lead to heavy reliance on foreign companies to provide key environmental services.
“As our economy recovers, these are the new sort of ideas and ventures we need. Not only does it improve our profiling in offering experiences to locals, tourists coming to Suva will benefit from this experience,” he said.
Ministry permanent secretary Shaheen Ali said the YES panel was chaired by the Fiji Development Bank CEO Saud Minam and members of the private sector with mentors who had been influential in guiding the recipients.
Mr Ali said the YES platform had provided young entrepreneurs with a platform to turn their ideas into businesses.
YES panel chairman Mr Minam said since the its establishment in 2018, the Young Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES) had provided immediate assistance to several young and budding entrepreneurs in the form of grants.
“It is commendable to note the innovative ideas being brought to light by young Fijians and we are pleased to assist them in turning these into projects that not only promote and harness their talents but also contribute to our economy.
“I would like to acknowledge the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport for initiating this scheme and providing a platform for our young people to showcase their talents and grow in their chosen ventures,” he said.
Mr Minam said the scheme had also provided an opportunity for the young talents of Fiji to become job creators rather than just job seekers and they would continue to assist innovative and bankable ideas/projects.
Mr Koya further said the government had invested more than $100 million into our MSMEs and the YES program was one such initiative through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, targeting the development of young entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas.
