Five organizations that are part of the Professional’s Association were today handed a $90,000 grant by the government in Suva.

While officiating the handover ceremony, Minister for Industry and Trade Faiyaz Koya says the grant is an effort to support Professionals Association in the country.

He says that there is a need to promote competitiveness and improvement of standards of professionals in Fiji and in this regard, the Ministry of Industry and Trade had undertaken consultations with professionals and industries on their needs, which led to $90,000 being allocated as grant to professional bodies.

Koya adds that this grant to the five professional bodies is a means of Government's support for these bodies to integrate service delivery standards, professional conduct and standards and training and up-skilling for their members.

The first recipients of this grant facility include The Fiji Institution of Engineers, The Fiji Architects Association, The Fiji Masters Builders Association, The Fiji Institute of Quantity Surveyors and The Association of Registered Hairdressers and Beauticians.

The Fiji Institute of Engineers were allocated the highest amount of $30,000, $20,000 was given to The Fiji Association of Architects, The Association of Registered Hairdressers and Beauticians also received $20,000, $10,000 was allocated for The Fiji Masters Builders Association while The Fiji Institute of Quantity Surveyors also received $10,000.