GOVERNMENT received a cheque of more than $2 million from the Indian government yesterday to assist micro and small business entrepreneurs in the country.
India’s High Commissioner to Fiji Padmaja handed over the cheque to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama at his office in Suva.
In a statement, the Government highlighted that it would continue its assistance towards micro and small business entrepreneurs.
Mr Bainimarama acknowledged the Indian government for its kind gesture and said the gift would impact ordinary Fijians.
“The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his State visit to Fiji in November 2014 pledged to assist Fiji in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector with $US5m ($F10.71m),” he said.
“The Indian government has, to date, provided a total of $8.4million to the Fijian Government, assisting about 8600 micro and small businesses. The donation has undoubtedly boosted their income capacity.
“Today’s additional donation will mean improving the lives of another 2000-plus micro and small businesses.”
He added that the assistance from the Indian government has helped entrepreneurs in the area of farming such as poultry, livestock, goat, piggery and bee farming, canteen, baking, sewing, printing, handicraft, catering, and floriculture to name a few.
Ms Padmaja said the Indian government was always ready to assist Fiji in areas within their reach.
Government has to date spent about $38.7m towards the MSME sector, $8.4m of which was given by the Indian government.
