The Fiji SME Business Owners Network aims to serve as a representative voice for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) operators in the country, according to founder Kim Beddoes. She initiated a twelve-town tour beginning in Rakiraki on Monday, aimed at strengthening the network and influencing the future of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Fiji.
Beddoes expressed, “We wanted to share information about the network and emphasize the importance of collaboration among small business owners.” She hopes to formalize the network to ensure that SME operators have a say in the decision-making processes within the country.
She highlighted the disconnect between policymaking and those actually operating small businesses, stating, “So much is done in the name of small businesses, but it’s generally done by people who have never run a small business in their life.” The goal of formalizing the network is to provide a unified voice for SMEs in Fiji, enabling collaboration with the current government to relay authentic feedback that reflects the experiences of members nationwide.
According to Beddoes, decisions made at high levels regarding SMEs significantly impact their operations. “Laws are enacted that affect us small businesses, but these decisions are often made without direct consultation with us. This isn’t anyone’s fault, as such a network has not existed before.”
She emphasized the desire to establish a formal organization dedicated to advocating for small businesses in Fiji. The five-day tour will include informal hour-long meetings with MSMEs across twelve locations in Fiji. This tour represents a significant milestone for the Fiji SME Business Owners Network, which currently has over 630 members from various industries across the nation.