The Fiji government is signaling renewed momentum for women-led MSMEs as it showcased strong progress during MSME Day celebrations in Nadi. Speaking on the occasion, Women Minister Sashi Kiran stressed the government’s ongoing commitment to the growth and sustainability of Fiji’s micro, small, and medium enterprises, highlighting a suite of programs under the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications that aim to boost financing, training, market access, and digital tools for MSMEs.
Kiran pointed to a striking five-year rise in female-led sole trader registrations, illustrating growing confidence and entrepreneurial drive among Fijian women. She noted that 2020 saw 464 women-registered sole traders, rising to 851 in 2021, 1,504 in 2022, 2,078 in 2023, and a record 9,524 in 2024. By 1 April 2025, 2,617 new registrations had already been recorded. The minister underscored that these figures reflect a broadening participation of women in business and a positive shift toward formal entrepreneurship.
Data from the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) further underline women’s expanding footprint in Fiji’s formal economy. There are currently 28,570 active registered women in the Micro Entrepreneur category (turnover up to $50,000 annually), 3,110 in the Small Entrepreneur category ($50,000 to $300,000), and 357 in the Medium Entrepreneur category ($300,000 to $1.25 million). These numbers illustrate not only the scale of women’s involvement but also the wide range of opportunities they are pursuing across the economy.
In addition to registrations, MSME Day featured the recognition of 45 women entrepreneurs who completed FRCS’s 1- and 2-star training programs and received certificates. Kiran lauded the initiative as a practical way to deepen tax and customs knowledge, ensuring participants are compliant, informed, and empowered business leaders. She also highlighted that graduates are poised to serve as ambassadors for FRCS within their communities, helping others formalize and grow their ventures.
The event sits within a broader narrative of ongoing government and FRCS efforts to strengthen the MSME ecosystem. Initiatives include tax and customs literacy, digital tools, and support services designed to help women scale from micro to larger categories, access financing, and participate more fully in formal markets. The lessons from these programs align with broader goals of gender equality, household resilience, and sustainable economic development.
Additional value and context:
– The numbers show a clear upward trajectory in women’s entrepreneurship, supplemented by training and formalization programs that increase access to markets and credit.
– The FRCS MSME data highlights a substantial and growing pool of women operators across micro, small, and medium categories, suggesting strong potential for further advancement with continued capacity-building and streamlined compliance.
– Ongoing conferences and policy announcements, such as new digital tax tools and formalization initiatives, point to a more integrated approach to supporting women-led MSMEs, rural and urban alike.
– The overall trend supports a hopeful outlook for women’s economic empowerment, improved household welfare, and greater community resilience as more women formalize and scale their businesses.
Possible follow-ups for readers:
– How to access FRCS’s MSME Support Centre resources and upcoming training sessions.
– Practical tips for new micro-entrepreneurs on moving toward formal registration and tax compliance.
– Profiles of women-led MSMEs that have progressed from micro to small or medium status.
– A closer look at the role of digital tools in empowering rural businesses and expanding market access.
In summary, the MSME sector in Fiji is experiencing notable gains in women’s participation, backed by targeted training, formalization efforts, and digital-enabled support. With continued government and FRCS backing, more women are likely to move up the MSME ladder, strengthening economic resilience and advancing gender equality across the country.
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