Govt Doing Its Best to Help Vulnerable Fijians

20/09/2020

FELIX LESINAIVALU

With close to 9000 applicants for the Loan Packages under the COVID-19 Concessional Finance Support Package for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the Fijian Government is doing its best help the most vulnerable Fijians.

Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Faiyaz Koya, during a press conference on the COVID-19 Concessional Loans for MSMEs said these packages are also targeted at those aspiring entrepreneurs and those who have been laid off, but have a particular skill set and would like to start their own business.

“It focuses on supporting existing businesses who have been worst affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Koya said.

“More than 3000 applications have been assessed, out of which 2339 have been approved valued at $18.7 million, so far.” Minister Koya added that the Government is doing its part to assist those affected by COVID-19, but now it’s up to the businesses, irrespective of whether they are a micro, small or medium business. “The assessors are continuing to assess the remaining applications and we hope to complete the entire assessments by the end of September.”

“We want businesses to be fully compliant and grow their business,” he said. Minister Koya said he was happy to report, of all applications received, 43 per cent were from women and 57 per cent were from men.

“This is a shift in the dynamics and represents confidence in their Government, by our women entrepreneurs.”

Minister Koya thanked the Business Assistance Fiji panel members, namely Fiji Institute of Accountants, Women in Business, Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation and Fiji Chamber of Commerce Industry whom he had witnessed working tirelessly during the assessment.
  
-ENDS-