SUVA – Local businesses must maintain a mindset of continuous improvement in order for its owners to be innovative in its approach.
At the launch of its new scheme to highlight research and innovation, the government pushed the ‘outside the box’ work ethic.
Speaking about the “The Research and Innovation Scheme for Enterprises” or RISE, the Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Local Government, Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar said it was her government’s step towards modernizing the Fijian economy.
Minister Kumar said the main idea is to encourage enterprises to innovate, think outside the box and elevate their businesses.
“Innovation as a tool for sustainable development can only be fuelled by R&D. A mind-set of continuous improvement must be instilled in each of us to keep Fiji moving forward. And that’s why R&D is so important,” she said.
“Through RISE, we are allocating $500,000 for enterprises who need that initial support to undertake R&D in a new or improved product, process or services, which will not only be beneficial to their business, but also the Fijian people.”
Minister Kumar said RISE is the beginning of a long-term partnership between the Fijian Government, the private sector and academia.
The new initiative will support R&D activities for all businesses organisations locally, particularly in the following priority areas; Renewable energy, Green Technology, ICT and Business Process Outsourcing and Telecommunications.
For more information, log onto to www.fiji.gov.fj
