One hundred and four companies have been licensed under the Fijian Sewn emblem this year.

Fijian Sewn emblem is a representation specifically for use by both large garment manufacturers and micro-entrepreneurs who run small tailoring and sewing businesses.

Fijian Sewn is part of an ongoing Fijian Made- Buy Fijian Campaign campaign, initiated by the Fijian Government in 2011.

The campaign is a national branding initiative which promotes Fijian products and services in the domestic, regional, and international markets.

The Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre and United Apparel Limited were the two latest additions to the campaign, having renewed their licenses under the Fijian Sewn emblem.

Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre manager Shazna Khan said the licence renewal came as an effort to recognise local talents.

Lead By Example
“We want to lead by example and empower women to make and sell clothing locally,” Ms Khan said.

She said garments prepared at the training centre were inclusive of all age groups.

“We also produce other household clothing accessories,” Ms Khan said.

Ms Khan said the centre previously sold products to tourists and the local market.

The dynamics changed following the COVID-19 crisis.

Thirty women in the training centre focus on sewing.

United Apparel Limited administration manager, Sunil Pipaliya, also said the company’s primary focus was the local market.

“We are looking at empowering the Fijian community to grow through showcasing their talents and also through buying local products.”

Minister for Commerce Faiyaz Koya hands over a Fijian Sewn licence to United Apparel Limited General Manager Mahesh Patel on March 30, 2021, in Suva.

Some companies licensed under the Fijian Sewn emblem are:
–  Michael Mausio’s House of Mausio,
–  Ranjit Garments,
–  Tau Sports Limited Fiji,
–  CoconutKids Fiji, and
–  Muwapai’s Creations.

Other categories under the Fijian Made and Buy Fijian campaigns are:
– Fijian Grown,
– Fijian Packed,
– Fijian Crafted,
– Fijian Designed,
– Fijian Assembled,
– Fijian Product, and
– Fijian Organic products.

Feedback: shreya.kumar@fijisun.com.fj