Venue:THOMPSON PARK
Hon. Prime Minister,
Honorable Ministers
Permanent Secretaries
Invited Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to You All.
It is with great pleasure that I welcome all of you today to the 16th phase of the Micro and Small Business grant disbursement by the Fijian Government.
This event today, kick starts the issuance of cheques to successful applicants of the 2016-2017 MSBG programme and is another example of a fulfilled promise by the Fijian Government.
Ladies and Gentlemen
A total of 549 individuals from Navua, Serua, Namosi, Beqa and Yadua will be receiving their cheques from the Hon. Prime Minister today.
These funds are intended to start your micro business endeavors or to boost your existing businesses to reach levels where you will be eligible to obtain small business loans from institutions such as the Fiji Development Bank, who is also represented here today.
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am proud to highlight that since the inception of this programme in 2015 and with today’s event, this MSBG grant has assisted 6,622 businesses to the tune of $6.3m. This programme does not only benefit the recipients but has generated economic returns to business vendors and increased economic activities in communities around the country.
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am always proud to mention that this programme has been championed by our Hon. Prime Minister who has personally handed out cheques to successful recipients around the country.
This is an ongoing commitment by the Fijian Government to prioritize the development of micro and small businesses by providing capital injections into your respective businesses.
These investments by Government shows our confidence in you, the recipients, that you will utilize these grants in building your businesses, raise the standard of living in your communities and help Government in achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
The onus is now on you, recipients to nurture the seeds that have been planted by your Government and to ensure its fruition.
Ladies and Gentlemen
With those few words, I now have the honor of inviting the Hon. Prime Minister to deliver his Key Note Address.
Thank You and Vinaka Vakalevu.
View PDF: Minister’s Welcome Address – MSME Grant Distribution Navua-Final