11 companies receive NES assistance

11 business owners have today become the latest recipients of the National Export Strategy grants by the Minister of Tourism, Faiyaz Koya.

The 11 companies that have been given grants include Serene Water Estate Limited, Naceva Fishing Company, Coconut Company Fiji Limited, Cacao Fiji, Mahend’s Exports, Salend’s Exports, Garden City Exports, Chere Industries Fiji Limited, United Pacific Limited and Kaiming Enterprise Limited.

Fijivillage caught up with the representative of United Pacific Limited Feroz Khalil who manages the company alongside his father.

Khalil says he is thankful for the government for their support as it was very difficult for them to get their business up and running after it was completely destroyed back in 2016.

He says it was a difficult time for him and his family as they had to struggle and work very hard to build back from scratch.

United Pacific Limited currently makes plastic and paper bags and exports them to nearby pacific countries such as PNG and is intending to also begin making foam containers.

With the money received from the grant, Khalil says they will be purchasing a machine from China that specializes in the making of foam containers.

Khalil has added that with their new purchase they will be adding 10 more employees to their team.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Faiyaz Koyasaid that since its inception the National Export Strategy grants has assisted the 104 businesses.