WESTPAC Fiji hosted its first ever Female Founders Market Day for 2026 to provide female vendors and entrepreneurs with a platform to market their goods and products.
The event supported women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by strengthening networking opportunities, increasing market exposure and connecting participating vendors to the program’s broader support pathway.
This included hand-crafted ornaments, pandanus-woven mats, homemade food along with entertainment on site for attendees to enjoy throughout the day.
Westpac Fiji’s chief executive officer Shane Smith said the event was built on the bank’s broader efforts to help women succeed across Fiji, whether it be academically or in business as entrepreneurs.
“At Westpac, we know too well the crucial economic role women play in our communities,” Mr Smith said. “Creating spaces such as this market, allows women to showcase their talents and flair and potentially grow their business and customer base too.”
The event reflected Westpac’s strong commitment as a signatory of the 2024 We-Fi Code, an agreement that sought to increase access to funding and support for women-led MSMEs in Fiji.
Westpac Fiji launched the Female Founders program in July 2025, championed by the Reserve Bank of Fiji and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to honour its commitment under the We-Fi Code.
The Westpac Women’s Market Day was held at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala campus car park in Suva last Saturday.
