Twelve business owners graduated from the Fiji Enterprise Engine (FEE) program in Suva on Wednesday.

This is the sixth cohort of micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs) to have participated in the private sector-led business accelerator program.

Chief guest Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo said the FEE program was no small feat.

He said it commanded a lot of resilience, determination and passion for entrepreneurial learning and contribution.

He said the opportunities were now endless for the participating MSMEs.

Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) CEO Edward Bernard acknowledged the MSME owners who had invested their time in the six-month program that had equipped them with tools and knowledge to enhance their capacities as entrepreneurs and accelerate their business.

“This cohort piloted the Entrepreneurial Business System with Hummingbird for three months. I would say that it was indeed a success considering they were the first batch to have the Hummingbird initiative implemented on,” Mr Bernard said.

The FEE program has contributed to the growth of more than 76 businesses with the newest graduates raising the number to 88 businesses as alumnae of the initiative. The FEE program is supported by FCEF.