The Fiji SME Business Owners Network aims to represent small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country, according to founder Kim Beddoes. She launched a 12-town tour in Rakiraki on Monday to bolster their network and influence the future of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Fiji.
“We wanted to share information about the network and highlight the importance of collaboration among small business owners,” Ms. Beddoes stated. She expressed the desire to formalize the network to ensure that they have a voice in the nation’s decision-making processes.
“Many decisions affecting small businesses are made by individuals who have no experience running one themselves,” she added. By establishing a formal network, she hopes to provide authentic feedback to the government from small business owners across the country.
Ms. Beddoes noted that decisions made at higher levels can significantly impact SMEs. “Legislation is crafted with little consultation from small businesses, but this has been due to a lack of existing organizations representing us,” she explained.
She emphasized the goal to create a formal organization that could serve as a voice for small businesses in Fiji. The five-day tour, which includes informal hour-long meetings with MSMEs, marks an important step for the Fiji SME Business Owners Network, which has over 630 members representing various industries nationwide.