Government of India gives $3.6M for Small and Micro Business Grants initiative

923 more people have received grants under the Small and Micro Business Grants initiative after the Indian government handed over a cheque of $FJ3.6 million to the Fijian government.

The grant disbursement at Albert Park was attended by the Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Minister of Trade and Tourism Faiyaz Koya and Minister of State for External Affairs of government of India, Vijay Kumar Singh.

Koya says this is the fifth grant disbursement, a continuation of the disbursement of the Fijian governments Small and Micro business grant.

He says to date, 8,373 recipients have benefitted from this initiative and approximately $FJ8 million has been utilised so far.

Minister of State for External Affairs of government of India, Vijay Kumar Singh says Fiji and India have similar challenges, similar opportunities and developmental concerns.

Singh says the first installment of $470,000 has been given and distributed to its beneficiaries and another cheque of $3.6 million has been given so that it can further benefit people.

Grant recipient, Sarwan Govind says the money will be used to buy material for his shoe repair business.

He says it will help him build a better future for his three children and the rest of his family.

Another recipient Kinimerevini Nacamarama says she needs the grant to top up her little canteen business which helps support the education of her two children.