Fourteen Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) entrepreneurs, including six women, are well placed to grow their businesses following their graduation from the 2022 Fiji Enterprise Engine (FEE) last week.
They represent a diverse range of local businesses, including value-added agricultural and forestry products, creative industries, fashion, and technology.
FEE is the first private sector led accelerator program that provides business training, advisory and mentoring support designed for the local context.
In Fiji, MSMEs contribute significantly to gross domestic product (GDP) and account for 60 per cent of employment.
Israel Cakaunivere, owner of Hybrid Audio, graduated from the programme, ready with new ideas to advance his business.
Innovation and growth were two focus areas of the programme, which enabled us to identify new opportunities, said Mr Cakaunivere.
It is also to diversify our business ideas and create a more sustainable business model for ourselves and our customers, he said.
Participants received support in strategic management, branding, marketing, human resources, financial management, entrepreneurship, innovation and business compliance.
They contribute towards eradicating poverty and our national development through the sustainability of livelihood amongst women, youth and vulnerable groups, said Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica.
This year, apart from the classroom sessions, the FEE cohort participated in several activities including an Entrepreneur Day at Vuisiga Village in Naitasiri and a site visit to Naisevu Organic Farms in Naitasiri, which operates a Bulumakau Bank managed by two members of the cohort.
The six-month programme was by the Fiji Commerce and Employer’s Federation with support from the Australian Government’s Market Development Facility (MDF) and the Government.
The next 2023 FEE intake will begin in May.
Source: Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation
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