Boost for Yau Bula project

Sabeto-based Living Wealth Pte Ltd has received a $100,000 boost for their Yau Bula project aimed at strengthening economic development in rural areas.

While handing over the financial assistance, Minister for External Trade Manoa Kamikamica said these were the types of projects the Government was willing to partner with local businesses in order to boost the local economy.

Mr Kamikamica said the assistance would make it possible for Living Wealth Pte Ltd, through Rise Beyond the Reef, to sign onto global online shopping platform, Amazon.

He said the online shop would now display handicrafts made by Rise Beyond the Reef crafts men and women.

“It is wonderful to see that you are now on Amazon and we look forward to more good news as the rest of the world starts to discover Fijian art and handicraft on a global level,” said Mr Kamikamica.

“It is quite exciting and for us as a Government we are always interested in public private partnerships.

“We are excited to be part of this initiative and honored to be allowed to contribute. ”

This is only the beginning that we will try and mobilise as a Government and help where we can particularly when you can see the opportunities that Rise Beyond the Reef can create as well.”

He said the $100,000 assistance was made possible through the ministry’s Integrated Human Resource Development Program where the Government invested $66,667 and Living Wealth Pte Limited paid $33,333 through a loan from the Fiji Development Bank.

“This is what we call Public Private Partnership or the “PPP”, an identified investment model which harnesses the best formulae for economic growth, particularly for a country like Fiji.”