REPULIC OF THE FIJI REPULIC OF THE FIJI ISLANDSISLANDS

National Sevens TeamNational Sevens Team

FIJI ISLANDS

Comprises of 333 Islands which are spread over an area of 709,707sq km

≈ 77% is comprised of ocean≈ Most islands are of volcanic origin while there are also raised limestone and cays

POPULATIONSPOPULATIONS

Fijian57%

Indians38%

Others5%

NATIONALITYNATIONALITY

HISTORY AND CULTUREHISTORY AND CULTURE

THINGS TO DO AND SEE….THINGS TO DO AND SEE….

CULTURAL ENVIRONMENTCULTURAL ENVIRONMENTOld structures

TRADITIONAL ARTS & CEREMONIESTRADITIONAL ARTS & CEREMONIES

CURRENT DEVELOPMENT TRENDS & ISSUESCURRENT DEVELOPMENT TRENDS & ISSUES

POLITICAL & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTPOLITICAL & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Efforts to form a constitutional governmentEfforts to form a constitutional government A way forward to “Build a Better Fiji”A way forward to “Build a Better Fiji”

ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT AND OUTLOOKECONOMIC ASSESSMENT AND OUTLOOK Structural reforms particularly on land, Structural reforms particularly on land,

public enterprises, civil service, labourpublic enterprises, civil service, labour Financial ReformFinancial Reform Sugar industry restructuringSugar industry restructuring

IMPLICATIONS FOR COUNTRY STRATEGY IMPLICATIONS FOR COUNTRY STRATEGY AND PROGRAMAND PROGRAM

Enormous challenge :Enormous challenge : High level of poverty (5% live in absolute High level of poverty (5% live in absolute

poverty, and another 2% live below the poverty, and another 2% live below the poverty line and urban migration.poverty line and urban migration.

Vulnerability of frequent natural disastersVulnerability of frequent natural disasters Heavy dependence on the sugar industry for Heavy dependence on the sugar industry for

employment and incomeemployment and income Shortage of skilled human resource due to Shortage of skilled human resource due to

“brain drain”“brain drain” Poor infrastructure and high utility costsPoor infrastructure and high utility costs

DEPARTMENT OF CO-OPERATIVES & SMALL & MICRO DEPARTMENT OF CO-OPERATIVES & SMALL & MICRO ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENTENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT

VISION:“A strong and viable co-operative and small

business enterprise sector”

MISSION:“To sponsor the sustained development of co-

operatives and small business enterprises as a vehicle for national economic growth through the provision of adequate support services in all areas of business development”

CO-OPERATIVES ACT, 1996CO-OPERATIVES ACT, 1996

________________________________________________________ The main sections of the Cooperatives Act, 1996 are as follows:

Preliminary Appointment of Registrar, formation and registration of cooperatives Rights and Duties of Cooperatives Rights and Duties of Members Secondary cooperatives, apex organizations and the National Co-operative

Federation Cooperative Advisory Board Organization and Management of cooperatives Audit and Inquiry Property and Funds of a Cooperative Amalgamation, transfer, division and conversion of cooperatives Dissolution and liquidation of cooperatives Settlement of disputes Miscellaneous Provisions

STRATEGIC GOALS & OBJECTIVES OF THE STRATEGIC GOALS & OBJECTIVES OF THE CO-OPERATIVE DEPARTMENTCO-OPERATIVE DEPARTMENT

To facilitate the diversification of the activities of cooperatives so as to generate income and employment opportunities for its current and potential members;

To encourage savings by individuals and to mobilize savings as an internal source of capital for the cooperative and non-cooperative business enterprises;

To identify areas of business activities in which small cottage industries operated by individuals, groups and cooperatives can participate in;

To encourage local agricultural production for export and import substitution;

To harness the support and promote the participation of women and youths in small and micro business enterprises;

STRATEGIC GOALS & OBJECTIVES OF THE STRATEGIC GOALS & OBJECTIVES OF THE CO-OPERATIVE DEPARTMENTCO-OPERATIVE DEPARTMENT

To strengthen leadership and improve management capabilities in cooperative and non-cooperative business ventures; and

To recognize the importance of small business and micro-enterprise as an engine of growth of economic activities in the economic development of the nation.

CO-OPERATIVES PRINCIPLES AND CO-OPERATIVES PRINCIPLES AND VALUESVALUES

THE COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES ARE GUIDELINES BY WHICH COOPERATIVE PUT THEIR VALUES INTO PRACTICE.

1. Voluntary and Open Membership

2. Democratic Member Control

3. Member Economic Participation

4. Autonomy and Independence

5. Education, Training and Information

6. Cooperation among Cooperatives

7. Concern for Community

TYPES OF COOPERATIVES IN FIJITYPES OF COOPERATIVES IN FIJI

SAVINGS & LOANS OR THRIFT & CREDIT

LAND SETTLEMENT

LAND HOLDING• Livestock Grazing• Communal Farming

CONSUMER

PROCESSING AND MARKETING

WORKERS’ COOPERATIVE

MAJOR CAUSES OF POVERTY IN FIJIMAJOR CAUSES OF POVERTY IN FIJI

Expiry of land leasesExpiry of land leases Non-resolution of land issuesNon-resolution of land issues Decline of the sugar industryDecline of the sugar industry Collapse of the garments industryCollapse of the garments industry Lack of basic services (health, education)Lack of basic services (health, education) Lack of income-earning opportunitiesLack of income-earning opportunities High drop out rates in primary and secondary High drop out rates in primary and secondary

schoolschool Increased crime ratesIncreased crime rates Destitution and DepressionDestitution and Depression

AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOMEAVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

Rural

Urban

Rural 11,082 9,653 11,066

Urban 16,539 13,593 21,877

Fijian Indo-Fijian Others

EMPLOYMENT & UNEMPLOYMENT SURVEYEMPLOYMENT & UNEMPLOYMENT SURVEY[2004 – 2005][2004 – 2005]

54%

42%

4%

Fijian

Indo-Fijian

Others

25%

23%20%

14%

12% 6% Rur Fij Ind

Rur Others

Rur Fij

Urb Fij Ind

Urb Others

Urb Fij

POVERTY DISTRIBUTION IN ETHNICITYPOVERTY DISTRIBUTION IN ETHNICITY

HOUSEHOLDS UNDER THE THREE POVERTY LINESHOUSEHOLDS UNDER THE THREE POVERTY LINES

0

10

20

30

40

50

Food 9.9 7.9 12.2 10.1 10.4 9.2 12.1

Basic Needs 25.5 27.6 22.4 26.2 27.7 31 27.6

Relative 32.7 29 35.2 34.9 38.59 36.61 36.05

National Urban VillagesSettlem

entsFijian

Indo-Fijians

Other

KEY SOCIAL AND POVERTY INDICATORSKEY SOCIAL AND POVERTY INDICATORS

IndicatorsIndicators 20012001 20022002 20032003 20042004 20052005

Total Population (‘000)Total Population (‘000) 815.2815.2 825.8825.8 832.7832.7 838.5838.5 846.9846.9

Annual Population Growth Rate(%)Annual Population Growth Rate(%) 0.60.6 1.31.3 0.80.8 0.70.7 1.01.0

Population below poverty line (%)Population below poverty line (%) -- 39.539.5 -- -- --

Unemployment rate (%)Unemployment rate (%) -- 14.114.1 -- 5.85.8

Maternal mortality rate (per 100,000 Maternal mortality rate (per 100,000 live births)live births)

-- 35.335.3 22.3322.33 -- --

Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births)births)

-- 17.817.8 18.8718.87 -- --

Life expectancy at births (years)Life expectancy at births (years) 69.769.7 67.367.3 -- -- --

Adult literacy rate (%)Adult literacy rate (%) 93.293.2 -- -- -- --

Human development indexHuman development index 0.7540.754 0.7580.758 -- -- --

POLITICAL, SOCIAL, ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS OFVICIOUS CYCLE OF POVERTY IN FIJI

Low Economic Growth

Poor Political & Economic Performance

ECONOMIC IMPACT Low Economic Growth, Poor Political & Economic Performance Low Productivity, Low Income Low Wages and Low Savings Low Employment, Unskilled Labour Low Investment and Output

POLITICAL IMPACT Political Instability, Coups/Crisis

SOCIAL IMPACT Poor Dietary/Malnutrition HIV/AIDS Poor Health Lack of Education, Housing, Clean Water, Sanitation Discrimination: Low Sustenance, Self-esteem

Effects on Resources: Land, labour and Capital

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND GRANTS [F$ millions]GRANTS [F$ millions]

1977 - 20051977 - 2005

YEARYEAR

Social Security & GrantsSocial Security & Grants19791979

3.53.519801980

6.66.619811981

7.97.919821982

10.710.719831983

11.411.419841984

13.613.619851985

18.018.019861986

18.018.019871987

27.427.4

YEARYEAR

Social Security & GrantsSocial Security & Grants19881988

25.025.019891989

22.322.319901990

29.729.719911991

30.530.519921992

33.933.919931993

36.436.419941994

40.440.419951995

41.441.419961996

43.843.8

YEARYEAR

Social Security & GrantsSocial Security & Grants19971997

36.336.319981998

46.846.819991999

47.047.020002000

54.054.020012001

57.357.320022002

58.458.420032003

59.559.520042004

82.882.820052005

nana

FOREIGN AID AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMFOREIGN AID AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAM

YEAR

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

AND SERVICES

ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE

AND SERVICES

PRODUCTION SECTORS

1975-1980 7.34 63.22 45.30

1981-1985 41.45 8.64 37.96

1986-1990 19.94 3.82 67.00

1991-1995 128.77 6.04 26.21

1996-2000 154.92 5.70 47.89

2001-2003 78.50 2.96 11.68

A THREE-PRONGED STRATEGY FOR POVERTY A THREE-PRONGED STRATEGY FOR POVERTY ERADICATION IN FIJIERADICATION IN FIJI

1. IMPROVE THE PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF THE PEOPLE

Create more jobs and employment opportunities Promote community-based development projects Upgrade the skills of the labour force Improve the operation of the labour market to promote labour

mobility Increase opportunities for people in agriculture Provide skill training to out-of-school youth for self-employment

and improved farming Promote restraining of workers in lowest-paid occupations to

facilitate their promotion Develop careers guidance systems for young people Improve sustainable land-use management

A THREE-PRONGED STRATEGY FOR POVERTY A THREE-PRONGED STRATEGY FOR POVERTY ERADICATION IN FIJIERADICATION IN FIJI

2. IMPROVE ACCESS TO AND PERFORMANCE OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Ensure access of poor children to education

Increase access to health care for poor people

Increase funding for social welfare that is better directed to the poorest people

Increase funding for and the effectiveness of self-help projects

Review and monitor implementation of the Poverty Alleviation Fund

A THREE-PRONGED STRATEGY FOR POVERTY A THREE-PRONGED STRATEGY FOR POVERTY ERADICATION IN FIJIERADICATION IN FIJI

3. BUILD CAPACITIES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

Provide institutional support to build the capacity of NGOs and community groups working with the poor

Assist the poor to organize themselves and represent themselves on official bodies

Give support to communities to assist them continue the tradition of family support

Promote community-based development projects, including labour-intensive works.

PROMOTING BUSINESS ENTREPERNEURSHIPPROMOTING BUSINESS ENTREPERNEURSHIPON COOPERATIVE TO ERADICATE POVERTYON COOPERATIVE TO ERADICATE POVERTY

1. INTEGRATED HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR EMPLOYMENT PROMOTION [IHRDPEP]

• Training on Bee-Keeping and assistance given on full grant• Training on Bread Baking and assistance given on full grant• Training on Start Your Business• Training on Flower Arrangements• Training on Business Management

2. NATIONAL MICRO FINANCE UNIT• Establishment of microfinance institutions through

intermediaries

• Provide banking facilities for the underprivileged and the low income earners

• Promote micro enterprise development

• Introduce necessary skills and business training for micro entrepreneurs.

THANK YOU

VINAKA VAKALEVU