MSMEs equipped with tools and skills to grow their business

The Fiji THRIVE Program, delivered by Bank South Pacific (BSP) in partnership with Australian Business Volunteers— achieved a milestone, with its newest group of passionate local entrepreneurs completing the first phase of their six-month journey of coaching and mentoring.

BSP says the event, held in the presence of key stakeholders, including Investment Fiji and Business Assistance Fiji (BAF), celebrated a shared vision of prosperity with these entrepreneurs: creating pathways for people, businesses and communities to also thrive.

While addressing the graduates, BSP Senior Relationship Manager Rajeev Kumar says they are proud to deliver more than banking to the MSME sector through their partnership with Australian Business Volunteers.

He says they are equipping local businesses with the tools and skills they need to grow because when local businesses thrive, so do families, communities, and the nation.

Australian Business Volunteers CEO Liz Mackinlay says they are proud to be partnering with BSP to deliver practical support to small businesses across Fiji.

She says Fiji THRIVE is more than training, it’s a pathway to greater resilience, sustainability and growth.

Mackinlay says they are delighted to walk alongside these impressive business owners to help them achieve their goals for their businesses, families and communities.

Launched in Fiji two years ago, Fiji THRIVE - Together, Helping to Build a Resilient, Inclusive and Vibrant Economy has now engaged close to 100 MSMEs across the central, west and northern divisions of which 66 percent were women-led participants.

The program originated in Papua New Guinea as the BSP-ABV YES ('Your Enterprise Scheme') GROW and has evolved to meet the specific needs of local small and medium enterprises.

Investment Fiji’s Head of Regional and Trade Development, Lisala Dyer, encouraged participants to think big and globally.

He says Investment Fiji wants to be part of their journey, supporting growth, building networks and unlocking opportunities that support our nations growth.

Dyer says commodities such as Coffee, Cocoa and Noni provide a great avenue for their participants to diversify and run sustainable models of operation reducing external impacts that could hinder their business.

Business Assistance Fiji Acting General Manager Nitika Singh highlighted the importance of tailored support for MSMEs.

She says they are also ready to support the graduates with advisory services, business grants and capacity-building to help their businesses thrive.

Participants of this program now transition into a crucial coaching and mentoring phase, which will help them refine their business models, strengthen their resilience, and build lasting connections with key enablers such as the Ministry of Trade, Business Assistance Fiji, and Investment Fiji.

With a renewed brand identity and a strengthened commitment to the Pacific, BSP continues to support financial inclusion and economic prosperity across its extensive network including 17 branches, 37 postal agents, 120+ ATMs and nearly 3,000 EFTPOS terminals nationwide.