By Josefa Uluilakeba
FOR Taveuni native Petero Celua, owning a fibreglass boat with an outboard motor is the foundation for building a successful life on an outer island.
Growing up on his family’s mataqali land in Naselesele Village, the 25-year-old was inspired by his parents’ Airbnb business, which motivated him to find ways to support himself and contribute to his family’s livelihood.
After returning to Taveuni from Suva, Mr Celua learned about the Northern Development Programme (NDP) and its grant assistance. Encouraged by the program’s staff, he applied.
“At first, I was sceptical, but the NDP staff encouraged me to fulfil all the requirements,” Mr Celua shared.
“I wasn’t very hopeful, so I continued to provide horse-guided tours for tourists with my friends, another income source for youths in the village. It was quite a wait, but I was thrilled when I got a call from Labasa saying my application had been approved.”
His dream became a reality when he was officially handed a new 23-foot fibreglass boat with a 40-horsepower outboard motor by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, Manoa Kamikamica at his home in Wiwi Settlement, Taveuni.
DPM Kamikamica commended rural youths like Mr Celua for taking the initiative and venturing into business.
“With the right incentives, young people like Petero can change mindsets and set a precedent for growth, particularly in the rural sector,” he said.
The Ministry’s supports such smallholders, recognising them as key contributors to rural communities.
“Small businesses—whether shops, farms, or tourism services—contribute 18 per cent to Fiji's economy and employ 60 per cent of our workforce,” DPM Kamikamica added.
Similarly, four entrepreneurs from Lamini Village in Taveuni received a boost to their roadside business when they were handed over their grant agreements under the Trade Enhancement Programme (TEP).
During the handover, DPM Kamikamica highlighted the importance of engaging with grant recipients to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
“Government officials often assume that everything runs smoothly once grants are provided. However, visits often reveal areas for improvement, particularly after consultations with grant recipients,” he explained.
“This approach strengthens the MSME sector and contributes to the nation’s overall economic development. Reaching into rural sectors is critical for addressing poverty in Fiji, as MSMEs are essential job creators and catalysts for economic activity.”
The Coalition Government allocated $2.6 million to MSME Fiji for the 2023/2024 financial year.
This funding was distributed across five grant programmes: $100,000 for the Young Entrepreneurship Scheme, $200,000 for the National Export Strategy, $1 million each for the Integrated Human Resource Development Programme (IHRDP) and the Northern Development Programme (NDP), and $300,000 for the Trade Enhancement Programme (TEP).
These initiatives demonstrate the Government’s commitment to fostering small and medium enterprises, enhancing trade, and promoting entrepreneurship across Fiji.