A JOINT venture between Labasa businessman Vineet Singh and Vunivalu of Serua Ratu Tevita Mara Latinara has led to the opening of a $150,000 Cagivou supermarket at Velau Drive in Kinoya, Suva last week, an initiative also close to Fiji sevens rugby legend Jerry Tuwai, who is its brand ambassador.
Speaking to this newspaper, manager Alan Kumar said the supermarket was a community based investment involving Kinoya and the people of Serua.
“Someone asked me why Kinoya considering it is a Red Zone, well we have employed more than 15 in construction and now eight staff in the supermarket and these are people from Kinoya,” Mr Kumar said.
He said the new supermarket was a way to engage youths in communities around Kinoya.
“Most of our employees are youths. Some I heard were drug addicts, some were neglected, so we brought in these people because we saw hope in each of them. Cagivou means a new start and what relates better than employing people who are often overlooked by society.
“So yes we’re a business but a business focuses on serving the community and despite being located here in Kinoya, we will be doing our best to support the vanua of Serua.
“We will bring in their produces to sell here at the supermarket, supply goods to their local shops considering that they have less access to town facilities,” Mr Kumar said.
Officiating at the opening, Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts Ifereimi Vasu acknowledged the business partners and their vision of establishing their venture in Kinoya, creating employment and having a positive community impact.
“One of the most significant challenges we encountered upon assuming office in 2022 was the little or non-involvement of iTaukei in the economic activities of our nation, particularly concerning business ownership and commercial enterprises.
“We at the ministry are of the view that even though we primarily focus in uplifting the lives of the iTaukei, we believe that we cannot operate in isolation and that if we fully utilise our uniqueness in being a multiracial nation we can achieve great things.
“Our resources together with the entrepreneurial skills of our other communities are a perfect combination for achieving success.
“We must dispel the lies that have brought many turmoil to our nation and change the narrative of racism that have hindered the success of our nation.
“Today is a testament of this,” Mr Vasu said.
