Mr. Iosefo Volau, Chairman of Fijian Teachers Association

Co-operative Thrift Limited,

Board Members and Members of FTACTL,

Our Private Partners in Development,

Government Department Representatives,

Members of the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Bula Vinaka and a very Good afternoon to you all.

It is a great pleasure to be here to officiate the handover of 313CG Hydraulic Excavator to Fijian Teachers Association Co-operative Thrift Limited – a tangible testament of Government’s ongoing support towards inclusive economic diversification.

Without taking much of your time this Friday afternoon, I will keep it very short and simple.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This initiative is proudly facilitated through the Integrated Human Resources Development Programme under the Ministry of Commerce and Business Development, in partnership with the Co-operative.

The Programme is structured as a form of strategic partnership in which the total project cost of $233,805 is shared under a one – third and two – third contribution ratio – whereby the Government provided $150,000, while the Co-operative contributed $83,805.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the heart of this initiative is our shared commitment to the growth, resilience, and sustainability of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Fiji. Through MSME Fiji, the Government continues to facilitate access to finance, business advisory support, and equipment that strengthen grassroots entrepreneurship and local economic activity. When MSMEs grow, the economy grows. Every new tool, training, or opportunity we provide builds towards a stronger and more inclusive Fiji.

The excavator will play an essential role across multiple income – generating ventures – from land preparation and drainage construction to gravel extraction and logging. This investment enables the Co-operative to reduce operational costs, accelerate project delivery and channel savings into new business activities.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The long – term benefit is significant – by owning this machinery, the Co-operative is expected to save over $500,000 annually in project expenses, while also creating new jobs and training opportunities for local operators.

In line with MSME Fiji’s broader mission, this project embodies our approach of empowering communities to become self – sustaining and commercially independent. By equipping enterprises such as the Fijian Teachers Association Co-operative, we build local capacity, stimulate rural development and enhance Fiji’s productive base.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The contribution today extends beyond machinery – it represents an investment in people, productivity and progress. It supports Sustainable Development Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth through job creation and enterprise development; SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through enhanced business capability and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities through local infrastructure improvements that make housing more affordable and communities more resilient.

This is the essence of our MSME vision – to create an enabling environment where every business, no matter how small, can participate meaningfully in economic development.

Ladies and Gentlemen

It now gives me great pleasure to officially hand over the 313CG Hydraulic Excavator to the Fijian Teachers Association Co-operative Thrift Limited. I would also like to take this moment to commend the Co‑operative for their determination and commitment throughout this process. Your perseverance in preparing a strong proposal and working closely with the Ministry has ensured that the IHRDP Committee could effectively assess and support this worthy initiative.

We look forward to seeing this project uplift livelihoods, generate opportunities and contribute to building a more vibrant and resilient economy.

Vinaka Vakalevu.