Fiji’s Minister for Commerce and Trade Faiyaz Koya has encouraged Fiji’s fashion industry players to embrace the e-commerce space.
Speaking at the launch of Tracey Farrington Fiji’s resort wear collection in Nadi last night, Mr Koya said designers like Tracey had an open door to the internet, social media and e-commerce.
And as a spirited industry, he said designers were able to build new models of businesses that balance partnership between wholesale and a direct to consumer model.
“The Fijian Government recognises the demand and potential out there in the digital economy, particularly in the e-commerce space,” Mr Koya said.
“To graduate Fijian businesses online, the ministry is working with e-commerce platform providers, such as Vodafone and Post Fiji to connect Fijian Made products to markets in Fiji and beyond.”
Mr Koya said the Government – in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of Fiji – had partnered with Vodafone to assist micro to small enterprises to sign up as a merchant on ‘Vitikart’.
He said $1.2million had been allocated for this partnership.
“Funds will be channelled towards covering the cost associated with getting MSMEs onto the Viti Kart platform and receiving payments through internet payment gateways.
“Initiatives such as the VitiKart come at a time where the very existence of many businesses is conditional to their ability to break barriers and stay relevant, and ahead of the competition.”
Mr Koya says supporting Fijian talent to develop sustainable businesses is a must.
“Encouraging creatives to innovate is a must for future success, so I encourage designers to be bold in design and in business.”
