Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Trade training

Don't Forget Them

Many people are grateful for the things that have been provided for them by the government. Big business people enjoy tax rebates and tax exemption. When they give to charity or sports they get a tax break. Let's put it this way - they get incentives, and they thrive.

We also have small business people e.g car-wash, little canteens, carrier owners, internet shop, tyre repair, tailoring, etc who operate from home or operate and pay rent to a big business person.

I was with one such person and he always attends business meetings when they are conducted in the West to gain some advantage by meeting and talking to other business people.

At times he sees business people go forward because they have capital and also enjoy incentives from the government.

He hopes that one day someone in authority will look his way and say, "How can we help you?"

And offer him a small grant to keep him going and improve on his business. He often laments that the small businessman is forgotten.

At the moment I know who he will vote for.

Any takers out there to help this chap?

Please don't forget the small struggling business people. You will notice them at functions, but they are usually outside longing to be invited in. 

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that

Ed, Note.  Here's a link to a speech by the Governor of the Fiji Reserve Bank that spells out some of the things government is doing to help small businesses. http://www.bis.org/review/r120423c.pdf

In sum the  speech was an address at the launch of the ANZ Small and Medium Enterprises Credit Scheme in early 2012. After pointing to the obvious, that today's big bvusineses —  the Prouds (Motibhais), Tappoos, Jacks (Khatris), Punjas, Niranjans, Manubhais and Vinod Patels — all started as small businesses, Governor Whiteside went on to speak of the potential for Fiji's small and medium businesses that accounted for only 12% of economic activity, far less than the 40-60% typical of developing countries.  Speaking of the public private sector support for smaller businesses, he noted government's $3 million Credit Guarantee Scheme to support private sector lending that guaranteed of up to 50% on defaulting loans and up to $50,000 a business.