Examples of SMEs that can apply:

Find out about each award eligibility and judging criteria  – click here. 

CATEGORY 1: DEVELOPING SMES
There are five (5) awards in this category.

AGRICULTURE
– SPONSORED BY RESERVE BANK OF FIJI

Agriculture significantly contributes to the growth of the Fijian economy through livelihood generation, export earnings, and food security.

Types of agricultural SMEs that can apply for this award include those whose:

• operations that involve farming either sugarcane, horticulture, grains, poultry, dairy, root crops, vegetables, fruits, fishing, beef farming, livestock or copra farming.
• operations (jointly or singularly) comprise more than 60% of livestock agriculture activities.
• operations (jointly or singularly) comprise more than 60% of aquaculture activities.
• operations include  intercrop farming (any two or more of crops).
• operations has a combination of livestock and aquaculture, which when considered jointly; comprise more than 60% of intercrops of the farm’s production.
• operations incorporate best practice in agriculture or employ advanced agriculture techniques.
• operations involve planting climate resilient crops such as yams, sweet yams; hybrid taro, swamp taro, cassava and uro ni vonu.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
– SPONSORED BY QUALITY PRINT PTE LIMITED

Wholesale involves purchasing of goods or services from manufactures and selling those goods or services to retailers, in large quantities or bulk.

Retail involves the purchase of goods or services from wholesalers to sell those goods or services directly to the consumer, in smaller quantities.

Types of Wholesale/Retail SMEs that can apply for this award include those operating:

• Wholesale / Retail traders who are involved in buying and/or selling of goods.
• Exporters.
• Commission merchants.
• Scarp metal, waste and junk dealers.
• Sellers of machinery/ automobile/ technology/ electronics.
• Clothing and/or general items stores/shops.
• Canteens.
• Hotels & Restaurants.
• Cafes/Coffee Shops.
• Duty free traders.

TOURISM
– SPONSORED BY FIJI SUN

Examples of SMEs that provide goods and/or services to the tourism industry include:

• Transportation – by road, sea or air
• Accommodation
• Recreation and entertainment
• Food & beverage strategically designed for the tourism industry/tourists
• Souvenirs/ handicrafts

PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS SERVICES
– SPONSORED BY MERCHANT FINANCE LTD & FDB

Examples of SMEs that fall under the Professional business services classification include those that provide the following services:

• legal
• dentistry
• medical
• lab technology
• accounting
• consultancy
• data producing & tabulating
• domestic services – maids, cooks, gardeners, grass-cuts
• photographic studios
• Barber/ salon
• any SME that provides specialised business services.

MANUFACTURING
– SPONSORED BY FIJIAN MADE 

Manufactures are those who produce goods using raw materials, machines, technology and labour. If your SME adds value to raw materials for retail/ wholesale purposes and is considered as manufacturing in nature, you can apply for this award. Examples includes:

• Food – fruits, animals, vegetables, milk, grains, fish, aquatic animals/plants, copra, bakery products, confectionery, sweet/salty nuts, spices, ice, pounding Yagona, or manufacture of prepared animal feed.
• Beverage – manufacture of soft drinks, carbonated/ mineral water, beer, ales, stouts.
• Tobacco – manufacture of tobacco products or substitutes.
• Textiles – textile, rope and twine.
• Clothing – outer and inner garments.
• Footwear – footwear and canvas products.
• Woodwork & Furniture Making – Saw milling, paper and paper cut products (containers/boxes/paper bags/toilet paper)
• Printing, publishing and allied industries – newspapers, periodicals, magazines, manufacture of printed cards, envelopes, stationary, paper ruling, book binding related.
• Soap/Cosmetics – Manufacturing of soap, synthetic detergents, cleaning preparations cosmetics, toothpaste and other toilet preparations.
• Building Materials – manufacture of bricks, tiles, cement, lime and plaster. Concrete and plaster products.
• Metal & Machinery – furniture and fixtures primarily of metal and electro-plating. Structural metal products, water tanks, containers, nails, wires, nuts and bolts, rods, tubes, pipes etc. Manufacture of agricultural machinery, equipment as well as general electrical/motorized equipment such as appliances, refrigerator,  air conditioners or batteries.
• Other products manufactured would include: plastic products, tyres, paint, jewelry/shell artifacts etc.

CATEGORY 2: IMPACT AWARENESS SMES
There are two (2) awards in this category, one that looks at climate impacts and the other at risk impacts.

GREEN SME OF THE YEAR 
– SPONSORED BY NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

There is no single definition of a green business, but generally, it’s a business whose core business model addresses an environmental or social issue – this is, it improves energy or resource efficiency, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, decreases waste or pollution, protects or restores ecosystems, promotes local culture, or supports communities. Source: GGGI – Guide to Green Entrepreneurship in Fiji

The concept “green business” is composed of two elements – “green” and “business”. As all business, green business is about making money. But “green” means doing so while sustainably harnessing opportunities that nature holds, and without harming the environment. Source: Green Business Booklet (ILO)

Examples of SMEs that can apply for this award includes: Source: GGGI – Guide to Green Entrepreneurship in Fiji

• Green businesses that are working to restore and protect landscapes and soil health include those making organic compost to sell to farmers for use in place of chemical fertilisers, nursery and land management businesses, organic farms, and tourism-related businesses that are actively protecting land through their operations.
• Green businesses that help to protect ecosystems and conserve biodiversity include timber companies that ensure forests are replanted faster than they are extracted, businesses that treat wastewater before returning it to the ecosystem, and tourism operators that educate others about conserving ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Green businesses that can help address the causes of climate change include those that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the use of fossil fuels (see below), and those that produce local products to replace things that are currently being imported (as importing goods requires the use of fossil fuels to transport them to Fiji).
• Green businesses will also be needed to address the impacts of climate change, for example by making infrastructure less susceptible to flooding (e.g., by planting mangroves to protect shorelines) or by providing increased water security through new water management techniques and/or technology. Businesses could also include services to enhance the resilience of communities and businesses (e.g., with weather information services for the agriculture and tourism industries).
• Green businesses that help reduce fossil fuel use include those supplying solar hot water and solar electricity systems, energy audit services that support businesses in saving energy, and providers of low-emission transport (e.g., bicycles, traditional sailing, electric cars and scooters, sail- and solar-assisted vessels). Transforming transport and energy systems will also require many associated services – such as solar technicians, battery recycling, electric scooter and car technicians, e-transport charging infrastructure, traditional sailing experts, and information and communication technology experts.
• Green businesses can help with the waste issue by using reusable instead of disposable items (like cups and plates), composting their organic waste, finding ways to reduce the amount of waste they produce, and making sure they dispose of their waste properly. Some business are fully established around addressing the waste issue – they may make or sell alternatives to single-use plastics (such as plates or food containers made from leaves or paper, or biodegradable plastic bags). Recycling companies that support the disposal and reuse of waste products can also help reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
• The following are some questions to ask yourself to help make your business greener: visit GGGI – Guide to Green Entrepreneurship in Fiji

RISK CONSCIOUS SME OF THE YEAR
– SPONSORED BY SUN INSURANCE

Some risks have the potential to destroy a business or at least cause serious damage that can be costly to repair.

Examples of SMEs that can apply for this award includes those SMEs that identify and have treatment plans for:

• Physical Risks: identify risks that can cause fire or explosions  to a building. Can mitigate risks by putting up exit notices and notifying staff of evacuation/emergency plans.

• Install fire alarms and smoke detectors.

• Install a sprinkler system to provide additional protection to the physical plant, equipment, and documents.
• Hazardous material risk is present where spills or accidents are possible. Can mitigate risks by providing employees with safety gear, provide training on safe handling of such items.
• Location risks would include hazards facing a business from nearby fires, storm damage, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. Can mitigate risks by providing  by informing staff of emergency procedures and/or having insurance cover for the business assets.
• Technology risks would include power outages, telephone and communications failure that would halt business operations. Can mitigate risks by having a backup generator or providing emergency-use-only business cell phones to employees whose use of the phone or internet is critical to the business.

CATEGORY 3: EMPOWERMENT AWARDS
There are three (3) awards in this category.

ROOKIE YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 
– SPONSORED BY FIJI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Rookie Youth Entrepreneur of the Year award recognizes budding youth entrepreneurs.

Examples of entrepreneurs that can apply for this award includes any person between the ages of 18 and 35 years who:

• Has just started a business that is classified as a SME.
• Could be a business in any sector: agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, professional & business services or wholesale/retail sector.
• An entrepreneur who is able to show basic money management understanding and/or skills.
• An entrepreneur who has introduced use of technology in his or her business.
• An entrepreneur who started with a unique business idea to deliver a service/good for the market. That is, they started a business because there was a demand for it in the market.
• An entrepreneur who makes effort to understand the customer’s needs.
• An entrepreneur who works as a team work with his or her employees, if any.
• An entrepreneur who makes an effort to create a competitive advantage – If you think you don’t have any competition, you’re wrong. All businesses have competition. The question is, what do you do better than your competition? Have you asked yourself this question? Then you are eligible to apply for this award.
• An entrepreneur who has started to involve him or herself, whether online or in your community (or both), to advocate for the environment and the community.
• An entrepreneur who envisions to empowers him or herself and others for example by creating jobs.
• An entrepreneur who has introduced some “Green” business principles into business could be considered for this award too.
• An entrepreneur who has attempted to incorporate risk identification and treatment strategies in business could be considered for this award too.

YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 
– SPONSORED BY MECHANICAL SERVICES PTE LTD

Youth Entrepreneur of the Year award recognizes innovative youths that carry the principal responsibility for the operations and recent performance of more mature businesses.

Examples of entrepreneurs that can apply for this award includes any person between the ages of 18 and 35 years who:

• Carries the principal responsibility for the operations and recent performance of more mature businesses (5 years or more).
• Could be a business in any sector: agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, professional & business services or wholesale/retail sector.
• An entrepreneur who has strong money management traits and has a healthy savings trend.
• An entrepreneur who has progressed in business through the use of technology in his or her business.
• An entrepreneur who has a strategic advantage for his or her product/service in the market for some time now.
• An entrepreneur who has a comprehensive customer service strategy in his or her business plan.
• An entrepreneur who values team work and his or her employees.
• An entrepreneur who creates a competitive advantage after having found and tested how he or she can perform better than competitors.
• An entrepreneur who is involved, whether online or in your community (or both) to advocate for the environment and the community.
• An entrepreneur who has empowered him or herself and others for example by creating jobs in the community.
• An entrepreneur who has incorporated “Green” business principles in business could be considered for this award too.
• An entrepreneur who has incorporated risk management strategies and treatment plans in business could be considered for this award too.

WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
– SPONSORED BY MINISTRY OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION

Examples of SMEs that can apply for this award includes those women who:

• own and operate or bear the principal responsibility of the business in majority ownership.
• Could be a business in any sector: agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, professional & business services or wholesale/retail sector.
• An entrepreneur who has strong money management traits and has a healthy savings trend.
• An entrepreneur who has progressed in business through the use of technology in his or her business.
• An entrepreneur who has a strategic advantage for his or her product/service in the market for some time now.
• An entrepreneur who has a comprehensive customer service strategy in his or her business plan.
• An entrepreneur who values team work and his or her employees.
• An entrepreneur who creates a competitive advantage after having found and tested how he or she can perform better than competitors.
• An entrepreneur who is involved, whether online or in your community (or both) to advocate for the environment and the community.
• An entrepreneur who has empowered him or herself and others for example by creating jobs in the community.
• An entrepreneur who has incorporated “Green” business principles in business could be considered for this award too.
• An entrepreneur who has incorporated risk management strategies and treatment plans in business could be considered for this award too.

CATEGORY 4: NATIONAL SME OF THE YEAR

There is only one (1) award in this category.

THE FDB’S 2019 NATIONAL SME OF THE YEAR
– SPONSORED BY FIJI DEVELOPMENT BANK

Examples of SMEs that can apply for this award include those that live up to being “innovative and sustainable”.

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