Business Link Pacific has launched a new Co-Investment Fund to strengthen the capacity of Fiji’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), with a strong focus on sustainability, inclusion, and job creation. The announcement was made during the JuiceIT-2025 Suva event, ahead of the main Business Assistance Fiji Conference later this year.
The fund –backed by the New Zealand Government to the tune of FJ$500,000– will offer matched financing of between FJ$20,000 and FJ$40,000 to MSMEs with up to 50 employees. It is open to a wide range of businesses, with priority given to women-led enterprises, youth entrepreneurs, and underserved communities.
New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner Alex Sharyar-Davies described the fund as a targeted initiative to promote business growth, innovation, social inclusion, and resilience to climate change. “It’s designed to support enterprises that align with the Pacific’s development goals while enhancing their access to finance,” he said.
Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Trade, Co-operatives, MSMEs, and Communications, Shaheen Ali, said the theme for this year’s conference, “Sustainable Tides: Connecting MSMEs for a Circular Economy”, underscores the government’s commitment to green growth and sustainable business practices. He also highlighted several ongoing reforms, including the creation of a national MSME database, the modernisation of Fiji’s cooperative sector, and efforts to streamline business compliance processes.
Fiji’s MSME sector plays a critical role in the national economy, accounting for more than 18 per cent of GDP and employing over 60 per cent of the country’s workforce. Despite this, many small businesses continue to face persistent barriers to growth, including limited access to finance, restricted market linkages, and regulatory hurdles.
The new Co-Investment Fund is intended to address some of these gaps by enabling eligible MSMEs to invest in operational improvements, adopt circular economy models, and scale their activities with the support of regional business advisors. BLP and Business Assistance Fiji have already helped over 1,200 Pacific businesses secure advisory and financial support, and maintain a regional network of more than 200 business advisors, 60 of whom are based in Fiji.
The main Business MSME Conference is scheduled for 26 June in Nadi, where more developments supporting enterprise resilience and growth are expected to be announced.
