Member of Parliament and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica,
The Resident Representative of the United Nations Programme, Ms Munkhtuya Altangerel,
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Business Development, Mr Shaheen Ali,
Permanent Secretaries,
CEOs and Industry Captains,
Development Partners,
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and a good afternoon to you all.
It is a great pleasure to join you all this afternoon for a truly historic occasion – the official launch of Fiji’s first – ever Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and the first – ever MSME Database. Together, they mark a bold step toward building a stronger, smarter and more connected MSME ecosystem – one that drives inclusive growth and creates lasting opportunities for all Fijians.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are the heartbeat of the economy, contributing significantly to jobs and income, and creating opportunities in communities across the country. This was evident in the MSME Dialogue and Networking Event last Saturday, hosted by MSME Council and Fiji Innovation Hub.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Yet for too long, many of our MSMEs have operated with limited support, fragmented services, and without the data and coordination needed to fully unlock their potential. Today, we take an important step towards changing that—together.
This Strategic Plan sets out a clear five – year roadmap that strengthens our MSME foundations while aligning closely with our national economic priorities. At the same time, the MSME Database establishes a much – needed backbone for evidence-based policymaking – helping us better understand the MSME landscape, identify challenges and craft solutions that genuinely respond to the needs of our entrepreneurs.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Government, I extend sincere thanks to all partners and stakeholders here today for being part of this milestone. This Plan and Database symbolise more than Government initiatives, they embody a national commitment to partnership, innovation and shared progress.
PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION
The MSME Strategic Plan and Database are not the results of one Ministry or one institution – they are products of collective effort. The Ministry has worked hand in hand with development partners, industry leaders and MSMEs across Fiji to help ensure that what we launch today is practical, inclusive and grounded in the realities of our MSMEs.
This collaboration reflects our shared determination to transform vision into action, guided by the principles of sustainability, resilience and inclusivity in line with the Government’s Vision 50 and the National Development Plan 2025 – 2029.
Most importantly, it recognises that the Government cannot grow the MSME sector alone. Each conclusion, technical input and discussion built towards one purpose – to ensure that every Fijian entrepreneur, from the smallest home – based business to the emerging exporter, can participate in and benefit from Fiji’s economic transformation.
MSME STRATEGIC PLAN
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The MSME Strategic Plan 2025 – 2030 is anchored on eight priority areas designed to strengthen MSME resilience, unlock innovation and drive sustainable growth:
- Data and Definition: Establishing a clear, national MSME definition and a centralised database so that policies, incentives, and programmes are guided by reliable information rather than assumptions.
- Coordination: Positioning the Ministry as a central coordinator of MSME initiatives—aligning programmes, reducing duplication, and ensuring that support reaches those who need it most, while respecting the mandates of existing agencies and partners.
- Co–operative Movement: Modernising the co‑operative sector through legal reforms, digital registration, updated databases, and targeted capacity‑building, so that co‑operatives can better participate in markets and value chains;
- Regulation and Compliance: Simplifying processes, improving awareness, and building a more supportive relationship between MSMEs and regulatory bodies, including tax and licensing authorities;
- Entrepreneurship Support: Expanding training, mentorship and incubation opportunities, with targeted support for women, youth and rural enterprises;
- Access to Finance: Working with financial institutions and partners to diversify financial products, improve financial literacy and record‑keeping, promote digital payments, and explore options for dedicated MSME financing mechanisms to narrow the finance gap;
- Market Access: Supporting MSMEs to access domestic, regional and international markets through e–commerce, branding and logistics improvement; and
- Workforce and Skills: Addressing labour and skills gaps through targeted training, promoting women’s participation, and supporting policies that make it easier for MSMEs to recruit, retain, and upskill their workforce.
These priorities are ambitious, but they are also practical. They provide a clear framework for collective action, so every stakeholder in this room can see where their contribution fits in.
MSME DATABASE
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The MSME Database is the second pillar of today’s launch and is equally transformative. For the first time, Fiji will have a national, centralised, and secure platform that captures key data on MSMEs across all sectors and regions. This includes information such as business size, location, employment, sector, and key challenges.
Why does this matter?
Because good policy and effective support depend on good data. At present, MSME information is scattered across multiple agencies—registration bodies, tax authorities, financial institutions, and various programmes—making it difficult to form a complete picture of the sector. The Database will bring these strands together, in a way that protects confidentiality while allowing for better analysis, coordination, and targeting.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With the launch of the MSME Database, effective 5 January 2025, our MSMEs can apply for the five MSME Grant Programmes through the MSME Portal at www.msmeportal.gov.fj. These include the Integrated Human Resource Development Programme, the National Export Strategy, the Trade Enhancement Programme, the Young Entrepreneurship Scheme, and the Northern Development Programme in one centralised portal.
The Database will enable:
- More evidence‑based policymaking and budgeting.
- Better‑targeted programmes that respond to actual needs, including those of women‑ and youth‑led enterprises.
- Stronger coordination among government, development partners, and business support providers, reducing overlap and improving impact.
OUR SHARED VISION FOR 2030
Ladies and Gentlemen,
By 2030, through these initiatives, we envision an MSME sector that is dynamic, competitive and inclusive – one that provides quality jobs, encourages innovation and sustains Fiji’s economic resilience.
Over the next five years, we aim to:
- Achieve MSME contribution to Gross Domestic Product to 40 percent by 2030.
- Close the $2.2 billion MSME finance gap through stronger financial partnerships and inclusion;
- Streamline regulations and improve access to essential business services and technologies;
- Build stronger training, mentorship and innovation ecosystems; and
- Reinforce partnerships between Government, private sector and development partners to deliver coordinated support.
This vision is ambitious – but it is achievable. With unity of purpose and shared responsibility, we can make it a reality.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND CALL TO ACTION
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Before closing, it is important to acknowledge those who have helped bring us to this point. The Government expresses deepest gratitude to our development partners for their invaluable collaboration – especially the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific for providing important technical expertise for the development of the MSME Strategic Plan and the UN Development Programme for supporting the establishment of MSME Database.
Sincere appreciation is also extended to the many private sector representatives, MSME networks, financial institutions, and civil society organisations that contributed insights and recommendations during consultations. Your perspectives have helped ensure that this Plan and Database reflect real needs and real opportunities.
Finally, I also extend heartfelt appreciation to the Ministry team for their unwavering commitment, patience and effort. Your dedication has turned these ideas into actionable tools that will shape the future of MSMEs in Fiji.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we launch the MSME Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and the MSME Database, let us remember: this is not the end of a process—it is the beginning of a collective journey. The success of these initiatives depends on our shared commitment—on every partner, every enterprise, and every citizen playing their part.
The task before us is clear: to turn this Plan into concrete action, to keep this Database live and useful, and to continue working together—across government, private sector, and communities—to build a more prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Fiji.
With those few words, it is with great pleasure that I officially launch the MSME Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and the National MSME Database.
Vinaka Vakalevu, and I wish you all a safe and joyful festive season.