Suva (ILO News) – In a bid to minimize financial stressors on Fijian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the United Nations [UN] is partnering with the Fijian Government, the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF), Fijian Competition & Consumer Commission (FCCC) and the Suva Retailers Association (SRA) to design, print and deliver tailored COVID-Safe signage packs to MSME’s, including those in the informal sector. The custom signage will feature important messaging, in line with the COVID Safe business protocols being implemented by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport (MCTTT); thereby supporting cash-strapped MSME’s in fulfilling all government regulations that would allow them to operate.

Almost all businesses, especially MSMEs within the informal sector, have been adversely impacted since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. Direct consultations with MSME representatives on June 10th revealed that their key challenge was cash flow, attributed to the increasing fixed costs and none to limited income.

The Minister for Commerce Trade Tourism and Transport, Hon. Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, stated that such collaborations cushions the cost of doing business for MSMEs. “Today’s launch of the Covid safe posters and banners will go a long way in helping our MSMEs in promoting and implementing COVID safe business operations. We are in this together, and will keep working with stakeholders to bring about innovative mechanism to help our MSMEs cope and adapt this “new normal”. Our road to economic recovery will not be easy but we will get through this and our Fijian Government is committed, we just need your commitment” said Hon. Koya.

According to the World Bank’s most recent East Asia and Pacific Economic Update, Fiji’s economic growth contracted by 19% in 2020; one of the worst downturns in growth in the world, and the most severe in the country’s history. The ILO supported Rapid Assessment conducted in June 2019 with the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF) surveyed 271 enterprises. 70 percent of enterprises surveyed indicated their business was impacted and only one out of four enterprise reported that their cash flow would last between 1-3 months, 3-6 months, and over one year. In April 2021, a government-led COVID-19 Business Impact Survey of 236 enterprises indicated that 94 percent of the businesses interviewed were adversely affected by COVID-19. In addition, the survey showed that 87 percent of the businesses reported declines in business income. In June 2021, Government initiated a 2nd Wave COVID-19 business survey and on 30th July, the Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport (MCTT) revealed in parliament that of the 2,200 respondents:

• 74 percent have closed temporarily, permanently or operating on reduced hours,
• 77percent has suffered more than 50% decline in revenue and
• 21 percent requested relief/deferment of credit/rent obligations.

Director of the International Labour Organization [ILO] Office for Pacific Island Countries, Mr Matin Karimli, underscored the criticality of strategic partnerships as a key strategy for COVID-19 recovery. “In such unprecedented times, developing and strengthening public-private partnerships to support MSME’s including those in the informal sector, can deliver cost effective and meaningful outcomes. This can lead to businesses to open safely, to employ workers and contribute to economic recovery”, said Mr Karimli.

The signage’s were selected based on gaps identified by FCCC through their assessments of MSME’s. The customized signage relate to government endorsed protocols for front and back office. These include proper social distancing, proper wearing of masks, use of QR codes, no sharing of utensils, etc.

Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) President, Mr. Sandeep Chauhan said “FCEF is grateful for this initiative from UN/ILO in partnership with MCTTT to assist businesses in opening up safely. MSME’s play a significant role in our economy and such initiatives help to minimize the cost of operation as well as promote safe business practices. We are also grateful that quite a few of our members are engaged in this initiative.”

Suva Retailers Association (SRA) president, Mr. Jitesh Patel said “the Association is pleased to be part of this initiative as we work on strengthening partnerships and networks to better support each other; retailers, stakeholders, MSMEs, Government and all Fijians. We have always felt that a collaborative approach is needed and this public-private partnership to promote COVID protocols for business operations is the way to go. SRA has always felt that this is a shared responsibility and therefore we are grateful to be a part of this and we are committed to creating a COVID-safe business environment for our staff and for customers."

A total of 3,500 signage packs will be channeled and delivered through MSME networks such as the Young Entrepreneurs Council (YEC), Women Entrepreneurs & Business Council (WEBC), Fiji SME Business Owners Network, Fiji Islands Dance Association (FIDA), Viti Association of Visual Artists (VAVA), Pacific Islands Farmers Organization Network (PIFON), Fiji SM Entrepreneurs Community.

This initiative is implemented in the context of a joint UN project entitled “Inclusive Economic Recovery through Sustainable Enterprises in the Informal Economies of Fiji, Palau, Tonga and Vanuatu”, and funded by the UN Secretary General’s Multi Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) for COVID-19 recovery. The ILO is leading this joint project in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).


For more information, please contact:
Peter Blumel
Senior Communications & Information Management Assistant