Business Assistance Fiji Board Members and Management,

General Manager of Business Assistance Fiji, Ramesh Chand,

Esteemed Sponsors,

Members of the Media,

Distinguished Guest,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Bula Vinaka to you all.

I am honoured to launch the first ever MSME Conference, with the theme “Innovation Waves, Sailing MSMEs to Success” which will take place from the 7 – 8 March this year at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

A recent Asian Development Bank publication for Asia Small and Medium Enterprises Monitor stated that MSMEs are key growth drivers in developing Asia and the Pacific. Data that was collated from 24 member countries of the ADB in the Asia Pacific region stated the MSMEs accounted for an average of 96.6 percent of all enterprises, 55.8 percent of the workforce and 28 percent of a country’s economic output.

In Fiji there are approximately 30,000 registered MSMEs and that account for approximately 82 percent, if not more business in Fiji. This number is far higher if we consider the informal business operators.

Ladies and Gentlemen, from a policy making perspective, we are focused on economic diversification and we see our MSMEs are the leading force in driving this agenda. That is why we are working on improving the business environment by commencing work on alternative finance such as crowdfunding and peer to peer lending and we will be going to Cabinet over the next few months on the MSME Strategic Development Plan to integrate the entire MSME Ecosystem and our MSME Bill.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In an ever changing economic climate, it is critical that we continue to create inclusive and resilient policies to allow our MSMEs to grow and withstand economic turns.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Innovation, creativity and passion are the driving force for any business to its success. With a rapidly evolving business landscape, enterprises will no doubt have to adapt to these changes forcing entrepreneurs to be innovative and creative. With this in mind, the theme – Innovation Waves, Sailing MSMEs to Success – aims to encourage creative solutions, consider and evolve with technological advancements, and have ready adaptive strategies to propel MSMEs toward success.

In Fiji, we are fortunate to have a growing group of game changers and innovators that are passionate about evolving our landscape. People like Geogre Fong from TicketMax, Ken and Shauna Katafano from Traseable Solutions and Mr Semi Tukana of Sole Fiji. There are many other innovators out there and this conference provides the platform to bring the different segments of the MSME ecosystem together.

Over the two day programme, there is an exciting lineup of speakers from international and local speakers on issues regarding Access to Finance, Strategies for Success, MSMEs as an Economic Driver, Young Entrepreneurs are catalysts for progressing MSMEs, Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs – Breaking the Gender Based Obstacles, Challenges and Opportunities for Co-operatives and Empowering Inclusivity.

But more than this, MSMEs will be given the opportunity to learn from each other, create valuable business connections, voice concerns with statutory bodies and enter into collaborations for potential expansion. The two-day conference programme is designed to ensure that each participant will take away some key learning tools and tips to improve and progressively sustainably grow their business.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This Conference provides an important platform for MSMEs to come together and have their voices heard! I must commend Business Assistance Fiji for providing this opportunity to our MSMEs. Business Assistance Fiji as we all know was established to support MSMEs through the provision of high-quality business information, advice, and tailored business development services creating a vibrant and sustainable MSME sector for Fiji.

I would also like to convey our appreciation to the sponsors namely Vodafone, Telecom, Tower Insurance, Star Hospitality and A.Hussain & Company for supporting the first MSME Conference and championing their support towards MSME development in Fiji.

To all the MSMEs out there, take hold of this opportunity and secure your place. Registration for the MSME Conference is now open and can be done through the Business Assistance Fiji Website.

Vinaka.