Minister for Trade, Cooperatives and Small Medium Enterprises and Communications Manoa Kamikamica has welcomed the $106.6 million allocated to his ministry in the 2024-2025 National Budget, announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Prof Biman Prasad.
“This budget is adequate for what we are trying to achieve as it builds on from last year, continuing the work of nation building,” Mr Kamikamica said. “For us in the ministry, funding for MSMEs was a key priority. More importantly, the fact that there were no added taxes this year will create stability in the country and the private sector will be happy.”
The ministry will prioritize key areas needed to grow the economy, including paying out new and outstanding film tax rebates, investment in ease of doing business, the Digital Fiji project, integrated human resource management, trade enhancement programs, and the Northern Division development program.
He emphasized the need for significant efforts to rebuild the country and grow the economy. “I think the priority will always be we need to be growing the economy at 5 percent,” he said. “So, in order to do that, we need to activate all the economic arms of government and also the private sector, and that’s where the Ministry of Trade plays a very crucial role.”
In a video interview released by the ministry, Kamikamica noted increased enthusiasm for Small and Medium Enterprises activities and rising interest in iTaukei businesses. “We’ve tried our best in collaboration with other ministries to try and meet the needs of the people, particularly in the MSME space. So if you look back in the last 12 months, certainly in the Ministry of Trade, what we’ve tried to do is start preparing the country for some major expansions in terms of diversifying the economy.”
He highlighted the ministry’s efforts, such as working with Google to enhance connectivity to Fiji, which is expected to result in exponential growth in ICT-based development in the next three to five years, potentially transforming Fiji into a technological hub and creating high-paying jobs for young people in IT.
Additionally, the ministry is collaborating with Fiji Water on a commercial-scale agriculture project that will supply hotels and local demands for fruits and honey.