Stronger links must be established with small to medium enterprises, Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, has said.

During the handover of the refurbished facility at the South Sea Orchids nursery in Nasau, Nadi, he said building relationships was also about ensuring assistance for everyone.

The refurbished facility was carried out by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise

(MSME Fiji) with a cost of $45,000. South Sea Orchids provided $15,000 for the exercise.

“This business is multi-faceted in the sense that it’s got a tourism element to it,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“It supplies flowers.”

“It helps people generate sustained livelihoods for themselves, and creates tourism opportunities.”

Inland Tours

He said there were elements to the Fijian experience that were yet to be exploited.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said inland tours lacked the same destination promotion that was accorded to coastal areas.

South Seas Orchids was more than a business focus, as it built a sense of community.

“We want to do more for tourism,” he said.

“We need to add that additional element to our tourism experience.”

“We want to continue this collaboration.”

“For women in particular, what we want to do is move them on to the next stage.”

Multi-Purpose Shed

South Seas Orchids owner, Aileen Burness, said the original building was a multi-purpose packing shed.

It was used as a workshop and meeting venue from 1996.

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