The Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism, and Transport (Ministry) is pleased to announce the winners of the National Co-operatives Day Celebration Competition 2022.
The competition, which was launched on 3 July 2022, brought to the fore this year’s International Co-operatives Day theme, ‘Cooperatives Build a Better World’. In this regard, Fijian co-operatives were encouraged to share how they contributed to building a better Fiji – and a better world.
The co-operative winners have been categorised into two segments; Excellence Awards and Commendation Awards. The Excellence Awards rewards co-operatives who have demonstrated significant efforts to the community and economy, with a cash prize of $2,000 each. The Commendation Award further recognises co-operatives for their contribution and will receive $1,000 each.
Excellence Awards Winners:
- Nabaka Landholding Co-operative Society Limited
- Drawa Block Forest Communities Co-operative Limited
- Waibau Womens Group Co-operative Limited
- Lovu Co-operative Limited
- Eastern Saints Co-operative Limited
Commendation Awards Winners:
- Thousand Investments Family Co-operative Limited
- Sabeto Lomolomo Combine Cane Farmers Co-operative Limited
- Wailailai Flats Cane Producer Co-operative Limited
- Lauwaki Womens Co-operative Limited
- Tavua United Cane Producer Co-operative Limited
In acknowledging co-operatives in Fiji, the Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Hon. Faiyaz Koya, congratulated the winners – noting their contribution to the Fijian economy and communities.
“To encourage economic integration, to care for the environment, to create jobs and to build communities – these are fundamental responsibilities we owe ourselves and each other. And the ten co-operatives we’re recognising are doing just this,” said Hon. Koya.
To mark the 100th anniversary of the International Co-operatives Day, the Ministry hosted the National Co-operatives Day Competition 2022 which was launched by the Hon. Minister, Mr. Faiyaz Koya on 3 July 2022 and closed on 15 July 2022.
A total of twenty-three entries were received from co-operatives operating in different sectors across Fiji.
The National Co-operatives Day Competition 2022 was in line with the theme for this year’s Co-operatives Day, “Co-operatives Build a Better World” where co-operatives were invited to demonstrate through a write up, presentation or video, how Co-operatives Build a Better World in any four of the following key areas in their vernacular of choice:
- foster economic participation;
- fight against environmental degradation and contribute to climate actions;
- generate good jobs;
- contribute to food security;
- keep financial capital within local communities;
- build ethical value chains;
- improve people’s material conditions and security;
- contribute to positive peace.
The Minister also thanked the Judging Panel made up of the Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Shaheen Ali, Cane Farmers Co-operative Savings and Loans Association representative, Ms Losena Kumar and General Manager for Business Assistance Fiji, Mr Ramesh Chand, for dedicating their time to ensure co-operatives receive due recognition.
The Ministry will continue to support the co-operatives model to up-skill and strengthen their business to grow and be successful.
-ENDS-