Honourable Prime Minister;
Honourable Ministers;
Permanent Secretaries;
Invited Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Bula si’a, bula vinaka, namaste and a very good morning to you all.
It is my pleasure to welcome each and every one of you today, as we witness yet another fulfilling promise of the Fijian Government, which is the disbursement of the 2nd Phase of the Micro and Small Business Grants to our 760 recipients in Savusavu.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The Fijian Government continues to recognize the importance of micro and small businesses and its contribution to our Gross Domestic Product. I for one believe that, in order to grow big, we need to start small and programs such as the Micro and Small Business Grant is one of the many financial initiatives by the Fijian Government that will transport you to your destination.
Moreover, providing you with the much needed capital or the extra boost to start up or improve your businesses, would enable you to grow and become bigger and stronger in the trading market.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The Micro and Small Business Grant Programme since its inception in 2015, has assisted 4950 businesses with grant assistance to the tune of $5.5million. Today’s event provides an additional leg up to the program as we also mark the 15th phase of the grant disbursement.
Ladies and Gentlemen
We are honored to have the Hon. Prime Minister championing this program for which we are able to disburse and assist as many projects as we can through my Ministry.
That Ladies and Gentlemen is an indicator that the Fijian Government will provide whatever assistance it can provide to see the Micro and Small Business Sector grow to a level that will bring about sustainable living in the future.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The onus is on you now, to take ownership of the grant assistance, utilize it in a more efficient and effective way and make a difference in your community, village and lives.
Ladies and Gentlemen
With those few words, I now have the honor in inviting the Hon. Prime Minister to deliver his Keynote Address.
Vinaka Vakalevu and Thank You.