A partnership between the Fiji SME Business Owners Network and Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) will boost the voices of the more than 600 small and medium enterprises in the country.

Network founder Kim Beddoes said they were thrilled to partner with CIPE to advance their mission of empowering and advocating for MSMEs in Fiji.

“This partnership will enable us to amplify our efforts and make a greater impact on the policies and initiatives that affect small businesses across the country, by formalising the Network which is already the largest collection of MSME business owners in the Country,” she said.

Ms Beddoes said Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) formed the backbone of the Fiji economy and pre-Covid statistics indicate that MSMEs contributed over 18% of the GDP and provided employment for about 60% of the labour force in Fiji.

She said CIPE was a leading global organisation committed to strengthening democracy and fostering competitive markets.

Ms Beddoes said the Fiji SME Business Owners Network supported micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Fiji with a membership exceeding 600.

She said the Fiji SME Business Owners Network was poised to lead the charge in advocating for the inclusion of MSMEs in national policy discussions, and their mission to cultivate resilient, inclusive economies for sustainable growth and prosperity in Fiji perfectly aligned with CIPE’s objectives.