Permanent Secretary Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport – Shaheen Ali,

Young Entrepreneurship Scheme Chair and Panel Members,

YES Recipients –

i. Mr. Christopher Vanualailai
ii. Mr. Dhirish Kumar

Invited Guests,

Members of the Media,

Bula Vinaka and a Good Afternoon to you all.

If we look back at the last two years, a lot has changed. Not only have we seen significant changes at a macro-level, but at a micro-level too.

In all that we’ve lost, we’ve learnt how to seize opportunities. Opportunities driven by the growing need to address challenges in a more unconventional way. That means, game-changing creativity and optimizing existing businesses.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Two months ago, we held the first ever Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards. We pioneered the Awards to pay special tribute to our young, dynamic population.

Today, we’re here to recognise and acknowledge the contribution of two young Fijians who we see great potential in- through the Young Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES) – Mr. Christopher Vanualailai and Mr. Dhirish Kumar.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This Government has invested over $100 million into our MSMEs. The YES Programme is one such initiative through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, targeting the development of young entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas.

I am told that through our Monitoring exercise of our past 10 recipients, we have close to 90% success rate. In fact, these Fijians have already created more than 30 jobs.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We know that young entrepreneurs can be catalysts of change when they’re resourced appropriately. And that’s why we’re excited to provide $60,000 in grant to Mr. Vanualailai and Mr Kumar so that their ‘ideas’ become ‘businesses’.

Let me quickly talk about them.

Mr. Vanualailai, owner of High Flyer Enterprises Pte Limited, will introduce the much needed Environmental Monitoring business to service Fiji and the Pacific.

There is a huge demand for this technical service. And there is a gap in the local market for such expertise that lead to heavy reliance on foreign companies to provide key environmental services.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Our Second YES Grant recipient, Mr. Dhirish Kumar, has presented another innovative proposal. Today, we hand over the Agreement for a Paintball Business owned by Mr. Kumar right here in Suva.

As our economy recovers, these are the new sort of ideas and ventures we need. Not only does it improve our profiling in offering experiences to locals, tourists coming to Suva will benefit from this experience.

It will also offer great opportunities for team building and team bonding.

To Mr Vanualailai and Mr Kumar, it’s important you have a good support system. I can see your family here today as well.

So a simple message to our aspiring and upcoming entrepreneurs, continue to harness and work on your craft. Don’t give up and keep striving. With the national Budget announcement coming up, I’m sure entrepreneurs can look forward to opportunities.

I encourage MSMEs to tap into opportunities that may come your way. Mr Vanualailai and Mr Kumar exemplify exactly this.

I would like to also thank the YES Panel for their insightful advice and guidance. Their mentorship has also paved the way for the success of the Grant Recipients.

With these few words, I hereby officiate this event and wish our two new Recipients the very best in this promising journey.

Vinaka!