VENDORS at the Laqere market in Nasinu will now be able to transition from informal activity into an organised and scalable business venture.
This is after the Nasinu Town Council reinforced its commitment to inclusive, community-led economic transformation with the handover of a cooperative registration certificate to the Laqere iTaukei Market Vendors Taxis and Tours Investment Cooperative Limited (LIMVTTCL) at the Laqere market last week, marking a pivotal step in advancing structured, community-based enterprise models to empower grassroots iTaukei entrepreneurs.
Nasinu Town Council’s acting chief executive officer and executive chairman Felix Magnus said the significance of the milestone is both practical and a symbolic step towards long-term economic resilience.
“This certificate is more than a document, it is a covenant of shared vision, discipline and collective progress. When we work together with consistency and purpose, we are not only building businesses but securing prosperity for future generations,” he said.
He encouraged members to anchor their operations in unity, accountability and strong work ethics, noting that sustainable success lies in the ability to move beyond individual effort toward collective wealth creation.
Mr Magnus said the Council also confirmed approval for a dedicated taxi base to be owned and managed by LIMVTTCL which is expected to strengthen income streams, improve service coordination, and expand market access for members.
“This is about shifting mindsets, from working in isolation to building together. Cooperative enterprise allows our people to pool resources, share risks and unlock opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach,” he said.
Director and registrar of cooperatives Iosefo Koroidimuri said the cooperative model is deeply rooted in the traditional iTaukei way of life, where collective responsibility and shared effort are central to community success.
“The cooperative model is not new to us; it reflects who we are as a people. The same spirit of solesolevaki that drives our obligations to the vanua, church and family must now be applied with equal commitment to our business ventures,” he said.
He said the urgent need to increase iTaukei participation in the formal economy, noting that iTaukei-owned enterprises currently account for a small proportion of registered businesses.
“If we channel the same unity, discipline, and shared responsibility into our cooperatives, we can change this narrative. This is how we move from participation to ownership, from subsistence to sustainability, and from effort to impact.”
