Owner of Joseva Tagica Investment of Natumua Village, Kadavu, Mr. Joseva Tagica, will after today have the necessary equipment to scale up his business.
Through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport’s (‘MCTTT’), Integrated Human Resources Development Programme (‘IHRDP’), the Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Shaheen Ali, handed over bakery equipment valued at $4,700 to Mr Tagica. Mr Tagica, who is a farmer, has been operating a canteen business for more than fifteen years in Natumua, Kadavu.
Today, he has also diversified into a bakery business – the only one in the Tavuki district, serving six surrounding villages including Solodamu, Waisomo, Baidamudamu, Nukunuku, Tavuki and of course Natumua.
In handing over the commercial dough mixer, Permanent Secretary Ali understood how micro and small businesses to grow, diversify and become sustainable was a key priority of the Fijian Government.
“MSME businesses will play a key role in our economic recovery and growth. We are confident that the commercial dough mixer will boost efficiency in production of your bakery businesses and we hope it enables you to meet the demand of the people in Kadavu.”
“It is commendable that you have employed five (5) youth in your business. By expanding your business, we know you will create more job opportunities in Kadavu” Ali said.
The Permanent Secretary also acknowledged that Mr Tagica shares the national vision in adopting green practices by utilising renewable energy through the use of solar panels for the operations of his businesses.
Mr Tagica expressed his gratitude to the Government and MCTTT for this valuable assistance.
“I am happy and grateful to be assisted by the Ministry through the Integrated Human Resources Development Programme. This commercial dough mixer will definitely boost my bakery business and I’m looking forward to taking it back to Kadavu to serve my community,” said Tagica.
He further encouraged other micro, small and medium enterprises (‘MSMEs’) to take advantage of available opportunities in the country and contact the MCTTT for advice and support.
“I would like to advise MSMEs to take advantage of opportunities that are presently available. You need to keep knocking on doors and cannot wait for the assistance,” added Tagica.
Mr Tagica was assisted through the IHRDP, with a one third – two third partnership between the MCTTT and MSMEs.
Ali said that the IHRDP is a successful proven model whereby there is genuine partnership between the Government and rural based businesses.
The IHRDP grant has been allocated a sum of $500,000 in the 2022/2023 financial year and applications are currently open which can be accessed through our website www.mcttt.gov.fj or application form can be accessed directly on https://bit.ly/3LFh8Yu
Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Shaheen Ali with Mr Tagica and staff of MSME Fiji from the Ministry
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