Dr Mahendra Reddy [3rd from left] during the opening of the African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) and EU Sharing and Networking Event in Nadi today [Source: Fijian Government]

The private sector plays a crucial role in economic growth says Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Mahendra Reddy.

While opening the African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) and EU Sharing and Networking Event in Nadi today, Dr Reddy stressed that the private sector needs encouragement and support as it is also the engine for job creation.

“The government provides the public infrastructure, we provide an enabling environment but at the end of the day the private sector must lead the growth for the development to be sustainable.”

Dr Reddy says while the meeting targets ACP stakeholders and other beneficiaries they must first focus on the small and micro medium enterprises.

Private sector representatives present during the three-day conference include micro-small-medium enterprises, financing institutions and investment promotion authorities from the Pacific Region.