Alice Hill (Hot Glass Fiji) is a finalist in the Fiji Development Bank Small & Medium Enterprises Awards

Alice Hill and the glass blowing studio, Hot Glass Fiji, has been shortlisted as one of the finalists for the 2014 FDB SME AWARDS in the Tourism Category.

As explained by FDB acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Nafitalai Cakacaka said “After 10 years of hosting the FDB Small Business Awards, we have expanded the criteria of the awards to include the SME Enterprises and relaunch it as the FDB Small & Medium Enterprises Awards”

“SMEs have been dubbed the engines of growth and FDB is at the forefront of ensuring that there is a conducive environment for SMEs to thrive and are also rewarded through awards such as these.”

The theme for the awards is ‘SMEs – the drivers of our future growth’ is to highlight the outstanding achievement of small and medium enterprises and their potential in the trade and business arena.

In addition, it is to encourage and appreciate them in their capacities to enhance and develop the national economy in line with Government efforts to increase economic diversification activities.

The awards are divided into five (5) major categories namely;

1. Agriculture,
2. Tourism,
3. Manufacturing,
4. Wholesale & Retail and
5. the Professional & Business Services category.

All these categories are further divided into two (sub-categories) with Agriculture divided asLivestock/Aquaculture and Livestock farming categories whilst the other major categories are divided as Sole Traders and Partnerships/Companies/Cooperative.

A total of $35,000 is up for grabs at the awards whilst each winner from the respective categories and sub-categories will receive $2,500.

All finalists are then considered for the four (4) Jury prizes which are the Best Business Practice Award, Best Risk Management Award, Special Award and the SME of the Year Award.

Each winner from these jury prizes will also receive $2,500.

The awards night on November 20th, 2014 at the Grand Pacific Hotel, and we wish Alice all the best of luck, and have the fullest confidence, that she will win in her category!