FRCS says more than 6,000 MSMEs trained in tax literacy, bookkeeping and financial management as MSME Day celebrations highlight progress
More than 6,000 micro, small and medium enterprises have been trained on tax literacy, bookkeeping and financial management in the past two and a half years, Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) announced during MSME Day celebrations in Nadi. FRCS chief executive officer Udit Singh revealed that in the last three months alone, over 1,200 rural women entrepreneurs were trained on tax lodgement and using the taxpayer online service (TPOS), a move aimed at helping them access grants and formalise their businesses.
Singh said the trainings, community events and partnerships are designed to build confidence, promote voluntary compliance and help MSMEs grow sustainably. He also thanked FRCS’s MSME teams for laying the foundation for a more transparent, supportive and responsive tax system. The MSME sector’s support centre, launched in the 2020/2021 budget, continues to offer tailored tax and customs advisory services, reflecting FRCS’s commitment to making tax compliance easier, more accessible and empowering for small businesses.
MSMEs are acknowledged as engines of job creation, income generation, rural development and the empowerment of youth and women. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and initial perceptions of fear and complexity among MSME taxpayers, FRCS has shifted to a proactive approach, developing platforms that reach out, educate and support entrepreneurs rather than waiting for them to seek help. Today’s celebration serves as a reaffirmation of FRCS’s pledge to support micro, small and medium enterprises across Fiji.
Context and value
– The ongoing FRCS initiatives align with a nationwide effort to formalise and modernise the MSME sector, with training and advisory services designed to improve tax compliance and financial literacy, enabling more SMEs to access finance, grants and government incentives.
– Earlier FRCS reports highlight the broader impact of these programs, including substantial numbers of MSMEs already engaging with formal tax processes and improving their record-keeping, which reduces compliance risk and enhances business resilience.
– The focus on women’s entrepreneurship is a notable trend in FRCS’s outreach, with data and programs aimed at expanding women’s participation in the formal economy, strengthening household income and community development.
What this means for business owners
– Engage with the FRCS MSME Support Centre for free advisory services, mentoring and training to simplify tax obligations.
– Prioritise basic financial record-keeping and bookkeeping training to improve tax calculations and compliance.
– Explore digital tools such as TPOS to streamline lodgement and access online services.
– Consider formal registration as a pathway to greater opportunities, including access to grants and subsidised programs.
Summary and outlook
FRCS’s MSME training drive, including the recent push that trained thousands of MSMEs and specifically empowered hundreds of rural women, reinforces Fiji’s broader strategy of formalising small businesses and strengthening the digital tax ecosystem. The emphasis on proactive outreach, financial literacy and women’s participation points to a hopeful trajectory for Fiji’s MSME sector, with more opportunities for growth, formal employment and economic resilience on the horizon.
Additional notes for readers and follow-ups
– Look out for upcoming MSME training sessions and bookkeeping courses announced by FRCS.
– For business owners seeking to formalise, ask about the MSME Support Centre’s services and eligibility for grants or targeted assistance.
– Stakeholders may want to track progress on women-led MSMEs as part of ongoing economic development discussions.
Leave a comment