Access to finance for Fiji’s resource-based entrepreneurs has long been a challenge, but new MSME initiatives are being promoted to help landowners and cooperatives turn small-scale ventures into sustainable businesses.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told the House that resource owners, particularly indigenous landowners, were entitled to the same support and funding opportunities as any other business through the MSME programs administered by the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, MSMEs and Communications.
“From the very beginning, the Coalition Government has been committed to removing barriers that restrict our resource owners’ access to finance,” Mr Rabuka said.
“For far too long, the potential of our resource owners had remained untapped and undervalued.
“The voice of our indigenous landowners was silent under previous regimes but today, through this Government’s decisive action, including the reinstatement of the Great Council of Chiefs, those voices are being heard once again.”
Mr Rabuka said the Government was focused on building a future where “ownership, participation and prosperity are no longer privileges but rights.”
Six programs designed to empower
The Prime Minister outlined six key grant programs designed to empower local entrepreneurs and strengthen resource-based ventures:
-Integrated Human Resource Development Programme (IHRDP)
-National Export Strategy (NES)
-Trade Enhancement Programme (TEP)
-Northern Development Programme (NDP)
-Young Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES)
-Co-operative Development Fund (CDF)
He said these programs reflected the Government’s belief that Fiji’s development must be driven by those who owned its land, seas and natural resources, people whose knowledge and commitment made up the country’s economic backbone.
Among these initiatives, the IHRDP had become the most sought after by resource owners.
Mr Rabuka said the program’s one-third, two-thirds funding model had helped channel close to $4million over the past three years into areas such as agriculture mechanisation, value addition, virgin coconut revitalisation and fishing projects.
“These initiatives are building true autonomy for indigenous enterprises,” he said.
Success stories in villages
One of the most striking examples, Mr Rabuka told Parliament, was the Matababani Co-operative Ltd in Nakoro Village, Navosa.
Despite the challenges of operating in a remote highland community, the co-operative turned its location into an advantage. It established a solar farm that now supplies electricity and provides steady income to the community.
“They have also diversified into agriculture and retail with the ministry providing $14,000 in support to advance value addition in their kava business.”
Another success story is Tokatoka Namara Development Ltd in Moala, Sikituru of Nadi — a resource owner company formed in 2022 to focus on gravel extraction for the local construction sector.
“The company demonstrates how indigenous-owned enterprises can create jobs and strengthen community livelihoods,” the Prime Minister said.
“The ministry also assisted with an excavator valued at $78,000 of which $52,000 was provided as a government grant, reaffirming our belief in the capacity and enterprise of our resource owners.”
He said these examples showed how resource owners, once marginalised from formal business systems, were now running profitable, sustainable ventures that contributed to national development.
Access to business funding
Mr Rabuka said the Access to Business Funding Act, passed by Parliament, provides a new way for companies to raise capital by selling shares, a move that could help many resource owners expand their ventures.
“The Act enables registered companies to raise capital through the sale of shares and contrary to common misconceptions, that initiative offers significant benefits to our resource owners, many of whom are now formalising their ventures under the company business model to take advantage of such opportunities.”
He said formal registration was key to business growth, adding that the ministry continued to provide advisory and compliance support to help new entrepreneurs set up as companies, sole traders or partnerships.
Through the Co-operative Department, the Government also promoted the co-operative model, which Mr Rabuka said was grounded in the i-Taukei concept of solesolevaki — collective effort for shared prosperity.
Co-operatives driving rural development
To date, there are 837 active co-operatives operating across Fiji, holding an estimated asset base of $132million.
These range across eco-tourism, agriculture, fisheries and transport sectors.
“To further strengthen this important business model, the Coalition Government introduced the Co-operative Development Fund (CDF), providing an additional accessible and equitable source of financing for resource-based ventures,” Mr Rabuka said.
He said the CDF was already making an impact.
In the 2024-2025 financial year, $486,316.22 in support had been approved for 17 co-operatives.
Among them was the Nasaqalau Co-operative Ltd on Lakeba, Lau — now the island’s only coconut buyer.
The co-operative had diversified into lobster supply, seashell export and fuel distribution, receiving $20,000 under the CDF to acquire a solar system, freezer and standby generators.
“These assets significantly improved productivity and sustainability,” the Prime Minister said.
Another example was the Tabusoro Co-operative Ltd in Lomaiviti, which received $16,888 to purchase a solar freezer and an outboard engine to boost fishing operations.
Mr Rabuka said the Government’s support was not limited to finance.
“The ministry delivers free business training in collaboration with key partners, including programs such as financial literacy, start your business, improve your business, grow your business and cashflow management. These initiatives ensure our entrepreneurs are well equipped with the knowledge and skills to sustain and expand their ventures.”
Ensuring no one is left behind
Mr Rabuka said the ministry was also improving communication and outreach so that landowners in every division were aware of the support available.
“This is very close to my heart,” he told Parliament.
“We have our own village co-operative that is working very well with the main organisation, and I would like to encourage honourable members to encourage their village co-operatives to take advantage of all the systems available in Government.”
He said the work did not stop once grants were handed out.
“The assistance and guidance do not end with financing and training.
“Our core function is advisory. As I have said, the expertise in the ministry and the various departments are available to work with our own village and community co-operative associations.”
Clarifying eligibility
Opposition MP Semi Koroilavesau asked whether resource owners needed to form co-operatives to qualify for MSME assistance or could apply through limited liability companies.
Mr Rabuka said both models were eligible.
“That assumption is correct,” he said.
He explained that resource-based ventures, whether registered as co-operatives or companies, could apply for assistance if they met the required business criteria.
The Prime Minister said the Government’s focus on strengthening the MSME sector was about more than grants — it was about inclusion, ownership and opportunity.
By formalising their ventures and tapping into these programs, resource owners are not only building local livelihoods but also taking a more active role in shaping Fiji’s economic future.
