Twenty-one graduates in Fiji have received a significant financial boost of $5,000 each through the country’s inaugural Graduate Business Start-Up Grant Scheme, launched by the Coalition Government. This initiative, introduced as part of the 2024–2025 National Budget, aims to support innovative and scalable business ideas from recent tertiary graduates.
Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad officiated the event and highlighted that approximately 70% of the recipients are women, demonstrating the program’s commitment to empowering diverse entrepreneurs. He stated, “This scheme is more than a financial grant; it’s an investment in our young minds and future business leaders,” underscoring the government’s focus on nurturing talent that can drive innovation and job creation.
The initiative is part of a broader governmental strategy to enhance the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector, which constitutes 18% of Fiji’s GDP and accounts for about 60% of national employment opportunities. The Ministry has allocated $80 million to support various MSME activities, reinforcing the importance of this sector to Fiji’s economic landscape.
Among the grant recipients is 22-year-old Kelevi Stark, who plans to launch his venture, Starks Catering and Events. Stark expressed his long-time aspiration to start a business and described the grant as a “great opportunity,” urging future applicants to take advantage of such initiatives.
Similar to past initiatives that aimed to foster entrepreneurship among graduates, the current scheme emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive ecosystem for emerging business leaders. Previous grants had also focused on developing the skills necessary for entrepreneurs to succeed in Fiji’s economic environment.
This newly launched scheme is anticipated to not only support individual entrepreneurship but also contribute significantly to the wider MSME sector in Fiji, promoting a culture of innovation and self-employment.
By building on the foundation laid by previous programs aimed at fostering entrepreneurial skills, this initiative represents a hopeful step toward creating a resilient, diverse economic future for Fiji.
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