President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere announced that there are 5,500 registered women participating in micro, small, and medium enterprises while officiating at the 14th South Pacific Business Development Foundation Day and the Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2024 held at the Vodafone Arena.
He also mentioned that this figure adds to the 18,742 self-employed women and 4,650 women engaged in handicrafts throughout the country. Elena Tinai from Saru Centre in Lautoka was recognized as this year’s SPBD Businesswoman of the Year for her outstanding contributions.
Ratu Wiliame emphasized the significance of women-led enterprises, which are often oriented towards creating sustainable livelihoods, addressing social issues, and supporting future generations. He pointed out that this sector constitutes about 82 percent of registered businesses, underscoring its importance to Fiji’s economic framework.
With over 30,000 registered micro, small, and medium enterprises in the country, he described this sector as the backbone of the economy, contributing to growth, innovation, and diversification, especially in rural regions.