Fiji is taking a leading role in a regional cooperative movement across the Pacific Islands, aiming to expand the national economy through small business participation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica highlighted the initiative emphasising the flexibility of the cooperative model in empowering various local demographics.
While traditional groups like farmers and taxi operators dominate the space, Mr Kamikamica said new sectors are emerging rapidly.
“The beauty about the cooperative model is it’s very flexible. So we are seeing a lot of women cooperatives, a lot of youth cooperatives, a lot of cooperatives with farmers,” he said.
Mr Kamikamica pointed to New Valley Farms in the Western Division, which currently houses about 20 established cooperatives with notable early success.
Although technology-focused cooperatives remain rare in Fiji, the minister expressed confidence that the country’s growing entrepreneurial spirit would soon change the landscape.
Mr Kamikamica said digital innovation was increasingly happening on a collaborative basis, with small teams joining forces to develop IT solutions.
“We haven’t seen many ICT-based cooperatives, but that is not saying that they won’t come.
“There’s now an emerging entrepreneurial spirit in Fiji that focuses very much on innovation and technology.”
Regional cooperation among Pacific Island nations is expected to generate broader economic activity, creating a stronger framework for small enterprises.
By expanding the reach of cooperatives beyond traditional sectors, Mr Kamikamica said the Fijian Government views this regional push as a vital milestone in diversifying the economy.
With support from government initiatives and collaborative set-ups, officials believe it is only a matter of time before tech-driven cooperatives become a staple of Fiji’s economic landscape.
