As our economy grows further, there are opportunities seen for smaller companies to piggy-back off the success of larger enterprises.

This was the message from Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday to our micro and small enterprises.

His comments came as he awarded $1000 each to 126 entrepreneurs in Navua under Government’s Micro and Small Business Grants Initiative.

Mr Bainimarama has called on our established business community to join his Government in helping these smaller businesses grow.

“The whole purpose of this exercise is to ignite and encourage a love of business among ordinary people,” he said.

“Large businesses and small businesses can help each other.”

Mr Bainimarama used the likes of firms such as FMF Foods, RC Manubhai Group of Companies, Punjas and Pure Fiji to demonstration their success.

“We often forget that some of the largest businesses in Fiji were once small or micro businesses themselves,” he said.

“It was by working hard, identifying opportunities and taking risks that these enterprises eventually grew.

“So the established business community can have a big role in helping some of the people we are assisting with these awards.”

To the wider business community, he said: “Your contribution can be in the form of taking people in and teaching them skills, providing business advice and, where possible, buying Fijian-made or Fijian-grown.

“You may also consider making smaller businesses part of your own operations.”

Mr Bainimarama paid tribute to the important role played by some medium to large enterprises in helping micro and small farmers and businesses around Fiji.

Taking risks

Mr Bainimarama has recognised that business is all about taking risks and believes there was likelihood that some of the seeds planted through the grant may wither and die.

“But I am convinced that most of them will flourish and grow.

“I have no doubt that some of the people getting these grants will turn out to be Fijian business names of the future,” he said.

“They will contribute to the Fijian economy and play a leading role in our export drive, taking the Fijian-Made brand to the world.”

He told the recipients Government was giving them the ability to help themselves and their families.

“We are putting our confidence and trust in you to use this assistance well because we see you as part of our national effort to promote a business culture in Fiji,” he said.

“To create a solid base of small business people who can be the backbone of our economy, just as the small business sector is the backbone of every successful modern nation.

“We want you to put this money to good use.

“To either buy what you need to start your own business or improve the business you already have.”

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