Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is championing the importance of engaging in business incubators and hubs in Indigenous communities, emphasizing the potential for these initiatives to provide resources, training, and support. Speaking at the opening of the Fiji Indigenous Business Council FHL Workshop 24, Rabuka highlighted the crucial role that education and training play in the success of Fijian Indigenous businesses.
Rabuka stressed the significance of successful Indigenous businesses reinvesting in their communities, leading to improvements in infrastructure, education, health services, and overall quality of life. He urged the Indigenous Business Council to develop tailored business education programs focusing on entrepreneurship, training, financial literacy, and financial discipline.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the need for indigenous businesses to rethink their strategies, visions, and solutions, and to leverage modern technologies to enhance their operations. Fiji Indigenous Business Council Chair Ulai Taoi pointed out some common reasons for the failure of indigenous businesses, including lack of capital, inadequate skills, management acumen, market saturation, and lack of private sector confidence.
Despite these challenges, Rabuka remains optimistic about the potential for indigenous businesses to thrive, urging workshop participants to regroup, rethink, and refocus on creating a successful future in business. With a focus on education, training, and innovation, Rabuka believes that Indigenous communities can drive economic growth and development in Fiji.