Winners of the FDB’s 2019 National Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Awards

Congratulations to all the winners of the FDB’s 2019 National Small & Medium Enterprise Awards.

Category 1: Developing SMEs

Our first category of awards is the Developing SMEs with 5 awards that recognizes SMEs that are excelling in the agriculture, wholesale & retail, tourism, professional & business services and the manufacturing sector.

: L-R: Reserve Bank of Fiji Deputy Governor RBF, Mr Esala Masitabua, Chief Guest, The President of the Republic of Fiji His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote, Winner of the Agriculture Award, Ms. Arun Lata of Eden’s Farm and FDB Board Director, Mr. Rajesh Patel.

: L-R: Quality Print Founder and Chairman, Mr. Dewan Chand Maharaj, Chief Guest, The President of the Republic of Fiji His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote, Winner of the Wholesale & Retail award, Mr. Rohit Deo and Ms. Reema Deo of Bakewell Cakes and FDB Board Director, Mr. Rajesh Patel.

: L-R: Fiji Sun Business Editor, Ms. Maraia Vula, Winner of the Tourism Award Mr. Naresh Kumar Shankaran of Green Lodge, Chief Guest, The President of the Republic of Fiji His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote, Ms. Kumar and FDB Board Director, Mr. Rajesh Patel.

: L-R: Merchant Finance Ltd, Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Rowena Fong, Chief Guest, The President of the Republic of Fiji His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote, Winner of the Professional & Business Services Award, Mr. Waisea Vuaniyasi and FDB Board Director, Mr. Rajesh Patel.

: L-R: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism Director Registrar and Co-operative, Mr. Mr. Faizal Khan, Chief Guest, The President of the Republic of Fiji His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote, Winner of the Manufacturing Award, Mr. Mr. Madhuwan Reddy of Labasa Farm Fresh and FDB Board Director, Mr. Rajesh Patel.

Category 2: Impact Awareness SMEs

Our second category of awards is the Impact Awareness SMES. There are two (2) awards in this category, one that looks at climate impacts and the other at risk impacts.

: L-R: New India Assurance, Chief Operating Officer, Ms. M. Rama, Chief Guest, The President of the Republic of Fiji His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote, Green SME of the Year Award Winner, Mr. Mark Hirst and Ms. Susana Tuilau of The Beehive Resort; and FDB Board Director, Mr. Rajesh Patel.

: L-R: Sun Insurance, General Manager, Customer Service, Mr. Thomas Naua, Chief Guest, The President of the Republic of Fiji His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote, Winner of the Risk Conscious SME of the Year award, Mr. Salim Buksh of Organic Valley and FDB Board Director, Mr. Rajesh Patel.

Category 3: Empowerment Awards

Our third category of awards is the Empowerment Awards. There are three (3) awards in this category, recognizing youth and woman SME entrepreneurs.

: L-R: Fiji National University, Director Marketing and Communications, Ms. Jenies Mudiliar, Chief Guest, The President of the Republic of Fiji His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote, Rookie Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, Mr. Rohit Singh of Indulge Designer Cakes and FDB Board Director, Mr. Rajesh Patel.

: L-R: Mechanical Services Limited, Business Development Manager, Mr. Mr. Melvin Singh, Chief Guest, The President of the Republic of Fiji His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote, Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, Mr. Avneel Prasad of Ace Kava Exporters and FDB Board Director, Mr. Rajesh Patel.

: L-R: Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Permanent Secretary, Ms. Jennifer Poole Chief Guest, The President of the Republic of Fiji His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote, Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, Ms. Leisani Saumaisue of Vines Travels Financial Enterprise and FDB Board Director, Mr. Rajesh Patel.

Category 4: National SME of the Year

The FDB’s 2019 National SME of the Year award is sponsored by the Fiji Development Bank.

: The FDB’s 2019 National SME of the Year Award Winner, Mr. Naresh Kumar Shankaran receiving his award on stage. Green Lodge is the WINNER of Category 4: National SME of the Year The FDB’s 2019 National SME of the Year award is sponsored by the Fiji Development Bank.

: The FDB’s 2019 National SME of the Year Award Winner, Mr. Naresh Kumar Shankaran with his daughter, Neha Shankaran after receiving his awards.

: WINNER of Category 4: National SME of the Year The FDB’s 2019 National SME of the Year award is sponsored by the Fiji Development Bank. WINNER: Green Lodge