Hardworking women of Lautoka who had to sell food along pavements with no proper restroom facilities will soon be able to grow their MSMEs after construction of the new Namoli Green Market is completed.
The Namoli Green Market, which will be next to the Lautoka Bus Station & Market, will have 70 stalls and 7 cart spaces with sitting and washing facilities – providing a clean and secure space for our MSME business owners to operate from.
The Fijian Government has put in place programmes and strategies for the support of MSMEs and recognises that more women in business are needed because economically empowered women in turn empower our communities and families.
Speaking from the ceremony to launch the plans of the Namoli Green Market yesterday, Minister for Local Government, Premila Kumar, said that the Government, together with the relevant Ministries, has implemented programmes to help MSME vendors access the proper help that they need.
“Through MSME Fiji, under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism, and Transport, you can also access funding, mentoring, and training. It is my hope that the market vendors use these programmes to grow their business and graduate to the next level. When MSMEs flourish, the economy grows, making the country more resilient against external shocks.”
“The socio-economic benefits of this facility, once built and used, will be multi-faceted. Not only will this assist the vendors in making a decent living, but it will generate revenue for the Lautoka City Council and empower it to be financially sustainable. We want them to generate funds that can be invested in infrastructure, such as this, to better the place of business. This way, we can provide more services that truly make our cities and towns better,” highlighted Minister Kumar.
We will continue to create a platform to help incubate fresh new ideas by building opportunities for local businesses, such as the new Namoli Green Food Market, which will allow #Fijians to enjoy local cuisine and new MSME products, bringing the community together.