Suva women vendors break ground on new market restaurant, bakery

A group of 22 women vendors at the Suva Municipal Market broke ground on a new restaurant and bakery yesterday, marking a major step forward for one of Fiji's growing women‑led cooperatives.

The Suva Market Inspiring Women Cooperative Limited, registered in October 2024, held its ground‑breaking ceremony at the Suva City Council Municipal Market Carpark near the Fish Market.

It was officiated by Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa.

Mr Nalumisa said municipal markets were vital to local economies, and the women behind them deserved proper support.

The restaurant and bakery will allow cooperative members to diversify their income beyond their existing market stalls.

UNDP Pacific Deputy Team Leader Patrick Tuimaleliifo said this was a sign of real growth.

“This cooperative, formed by 22 women vendors, reflects exactly what inclusive growth looks like in action,” he said.

Cooperative president Sofia Talei said the group was established in September 2024 with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ANZ through the Save a Plus initiative, which focused on financial literacy and savings among market vendors.

Since then, the cooperative has received grant funding and business training from development partners, including the Ministry of Trade and UNDP’s Small Grants Programme.

The minister noted that women’s representation in cooperatives across Fiji had doubled from 12 to 24 per cent between 2023 and 2024, and the Government’s Cooperative Grant Programme was increased to $600,000 in 2025 to support women‑ and youth‑led groups.

The Government also reaffirmed its commitment to improving municipal market infrastructure as part of broader inclusive urban development.