An Awareness and Networking workshop was organized by the Business Assistance Fiji.
(BAF) at the Civic Center Hall in Ba on 31 March 2023. The participants at the workshop were Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from various sectors in Ba.
During the workshop BAF, General Manager, Mr. Ramesh Chand provided an overview of the organization, activities under BAF and how the MSMEs and business advisory service providers can benefit from it.
He informed that BAF’s partner Business Link Pacific (BLP) programme into its phase 2 and MSME’s could benefit from it.
Mr. Chand also emphasized on building the network of service providers throughout Fiji.
Fiji Development Bank (FDB) spoke about the loan products available specifically for MSMEs loan products available. Women entrepreneurs loan product was also explained to the participants.
BAF also works with Vodafone Fiji to link SMEs to the E-commerce platform “Viti kart” hosted by Vodafone and MSMEs subscribing through BAF will also benefit the reduced commission from 3 % to 2%. The signing up fees is subsidized by the Fiji Government.
Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants (FICA) also spoke on how the MSMEs and the service providers can benefit from their services.
The workshop had presentation from Fiji Revenue Customs Services (FRCS) and Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises.
Mr. Savenaca Baro from Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) explained the participants on Women Entrepreneurs Business Council, Young Entrepreneurs Council and Fiji Enterprise Engine and advising how the MSMEs could be a member of FCEF.
During the session, some of the beneficiary showed their appreciation to BLP for the grant and thanked the BAF for the subsidies.
Dr. Senata Tianiseru who runs the Eye and Ear Care in Ba said that she has never been to any workshop and appreciated how BAF had organized the Networking session.
Ms. Sarla Prasad, from Glamour Arts and Printers said she will be utilizing the services offered by BAF for her printery business.
