Business Assistance Fiji and iTaukei Trust Fund join hands to promote economic growth

Business Assistance Fiji and the iTaukei Trust Fund Board have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which aims to increase business knowledge and entrepreneurship for iTaukei and Rotuman businesses.

This step will allow the Board to access Business Assistance Fiji’s huge business network and provide them to MSMEs so they can increase their knowledge of the financial market.

General Manager for Business Assistance Fiji, Ramesh Chand says this partnership represents a major milestone in their shared commitment to strengthening iTaukei and Rotuman businesses.

Business Assistance Fiji says one of the initiatives under this partnership is to facilitate the ongoing Business and investment Ready Grant Assistance at the Boards which includes providing expertise in business diagnostics, linking MSMEs to approved service providers and ensuring that businesses receive proper support for their growth.

They say Business Assistance Fiji and the Board will promote this development in Fiji through data and information sharing, event partnerships, promotional activities as well as providing support for new initiatives with the aim to enhance business capabilities.

They say they will also advocate for their respective programs so that MSMEs are well informed and can benefit from the available services. Business Assistance Fiji says another aspect of this partnership is the strategic approach to identifying and supporting the “right” businesses whereby a database will be built from all applications received for the Business and Investment Ready Grant Assistance at TTFB.

Chand says that through Business Link Pacific, Business Assistance Fiji has access to approved service providers who specialize in these areas.

He says Business Assistance Fiji will also provide the Board with self-service business diagnostic tools, which will be translated to accommodate iTaukei entrepreneurs.

The Board’s CEO, Aisake Taito says they are shifting towards capacity building to ensure iTaukei and Rotuman businesses become more independent and self-sufficient.

Business Assistance Fiji and the Board aim to create long-term opportunities that will drive sustainable business success across Fiji by leveraging expertise, resources, and strategic planning.