The disbursements of items for projects and businesses approved under the Trade Enhancement Programme has commenced with approximately $206,000 worth of items being dis­tributed to over 416 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) all over Fiji.

The Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Faiyaz Siddiq Koya said the Trade Enhancement Programme, was to boost MSMEs and elevate their businesses and realising potential commercial growth.

“The Micro business segment has been hard hit during the COVID 19 pandemic, the Ministry of Com­merce, Trade, Tourism and Trans­port as the Business Engine of the Government through its various grant programmes has provided the much needed relief and assis­tance.”

“The idea behind the TEP Pro­gramme has been to create employ­ment opportunities for those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, encourage the movement from in­formal to formal sector, create the opportunity for training/awareness on financial literacy, encourage youth, women and persons with dis­ability entrepreneurship, enhance provision of services from the skill based or ‘’blue collar’’ said Mr Koya.

TEP receipient Manohar Lal received his Electrical Tools and Electrical items worth $500.00 for his business.

The Minister added, “I am happy to say that approximately 69% of the recipients under TEP are wom­en. It is very encouraging to witness our Fijian women utilising their particular technical skill set and de­veloping it into an enterprise. ”

The Trade Enhancement Pro­gramme was launched in April 2022 as grant funding assistance of maximum of $500 to Micro Entre­preneurs. After going through as­sessment and evaluation, a total of 1,000 applications were approved at a value of $492,795.00.

“Fijian Micro entrepreneurs have been very grateful for the $500 grant assistance, it may seem like a small amount to many however they do not realise the impact it makes to a micro business such as a tailor, con­tractor, artist, designer or even a market vendor. With the additional capital items sourced through the assistance this will enable our mi­cro entrepreneurs to increase their outputs and sustain themselves” said Mr Koya.

The Minister reminded the ap­proved applicants to await the call from the Ministry on when to pick up your approved items from your selected vendors.

Further the Minister also wishes all recipients under TEP the very best in their future endeavors.

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