Efforts are actively being made to revitalize the cooperative movement in Fiji, emphasizing the importance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Esrom Immanuel, the Minister for Finance, highlighted that while the cooperative sector currently contributes about 10 percent of the country’s economy, its potential for growth is significantly higher.
Immanuel noted that Fiji can draw inspiration from other nations like India and Indonesia, which have successfully developed their cooperative sectors. He stated, “Probably you are aware that this government is trying to rejuvenate cooperatives. When the new government came in, the cooperative sector—the cooperative movement—was probably in dire need of assistance. So now we are trying to rebuild the cooperative movement to model it after the MSMEs.”
The Minister emphasized that just as MSMEs have seen advancements through ongoing support, there is hope that the same level of development and success can be achieved for cooperatives in Fiji. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for economic growth and community empowerment as the government seeks to strengthen its cooperative framework.