SODELPA MP questions govt's timing of distributing grants near the general elections

SODELPA MP Ro Filipe Tuisawau has raised the question about the timing of the grant distribution by government for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

He says this was done very close to the general elections.

Tuisawau says there are also questions about interference by foreign government.

Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Premila Kumar

Meanwhile, in her ministerial speech, Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Premila Kumar says Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises form the backbone of the Fijian economy with over 18% contribution to the Gross Domestic Product and employment for approximately 60% of the Fijian labour force.

Kumar says there are over 24,000 formerly registered Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Fiji and through various government initiatives, they have been able to formalise a large number of businesses that were operating informally.

She says since 2008, programs such as Northern Development Program, integrated human resource program and micro and small business grant have formalised over 40,900 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Fiji.

To date, 38,636 Fijians have been assisted with approximately $38.6 million which includes the support from the Indian government of approximately $8.4 million.

Kumar adds that overall the grants have impacted the lives of upto 193,180 Fijians.

Kumar says the Ministry continues to monitor the performance of successful recipients through its monitoring and evaluation exercise across Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

The visit indicated that 75% of the businesses are still operating.