Phase 2 of the Blue Accelerator Small Grants Scheme was launched at the Centre for Appropriate Technology and Development with the aim to unlock the socio-economic potential of Fiji’s Blue Economy and introduce innovative sustainable development financing solutions for MSMEs and SMEs across the country.
While launching the program, Minister for Rural and Maritime Development Sakiasi Ditoka says this shift in perspective reflects not only their commitment to economic growth but also their dedication to the preservation of our environment, culture and sustainable future of our people.
He says the Pacific Ocean is not just a body of water, it is the lifeblood of our nation.
Ditoka says it defines us together in ways that transcend borders and politics, it provides us with nourishment and enriches our culture which is in abundance and a source of resilience and strength in the face of adversity.
He adds their work in the Blue Economy is inherently tied to disaster resilience and climate adaptation, and it's an integral part of their response to the changing world around us.
United Nations (UN) Assistant Secretary-General and UN Development Programme (UNDP) Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, Kanni Wignaraja, says the Fijian people are people who understand that they are stewards of immense wealth, both on land and in the sea.
She says another wealth that comes with that is the traditional knowledge and customs that have been passed down, and their ability to look at what the future holds.
Meanwhile, Paramount Chief of the Kubuna confederacy, Na Vunivalu Na Tui Kaba, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, says he is honoured to be part of this project and is looking forward to the Bau hub.
He says he hopes that one day it will turn out to be an important hub so people will be able to see what happens in Bau.
