Women are being urged to support young entrepreneurs looking to start businesses. Losana Marama, a representative from West Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, spoke at a women’s conference held at Gurukul Primary School in Saweni, Lautoka, highlighting the Young Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES) program.
Ms. Marama explained that this initiative aims to provide grants to young entrepreneurs with innovative and feasible business ideas. The Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport offers financial assistance of up to $30,000 to successful applicants aged 18 to 40 to help develop or expand their ventures.
She emphasized that if young individuals demonstrate creativity and innovation, they can tap into this funding. Ms. Marama noted that ideas seen on platforms like TikTok, which are popular abroad but not yet explored in Fiji, could find support through their program.
The funding is a grant, not a loan, and it does not need to be repaid. Ms. Marama encouraged parents to recognize their children’s skills and to inspire them to become “job creators” instead of just “job seekers.”
The West Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) office is situated at Rogorogoivuda House in Lautoka.