Vendors set up stalls to sell whatver they could during Westpac’s Microfianance Expo. Photo: PAULINI RATULAILAI
By MARAIA VULA
The year’s first Westpac Microfinance Expo in partnership with the Fiji National Provident Fund was hailed as a success.
Westpac manager Sustainability, Eseta Nadakuitavuki said: “After conducting the survey last year, the findings proved most micro finance entrepreneurs prefer a monthly micro finance market day.
“Given the success of the day and night market last year now we have planned a monthly event and the next event is on February 20.
“This year’s expo was a success because we had registered 30 sellers on midday Friday but yesterday we had to accommodate more sellers.
“Most of these entrepreneurs were regular sellers while 15 percent of them were new faces at the expo. Given the success of the day and night market now we have planned for a monthly event,” she said.
Ms Nadakuitavuki stated they were grateful to the FNPF for providing the venue for free and they do value their partnership in moving forward.
Expo success
Micro business vendor, Fei Fong, said: “After participating for three years, every year it gets better and I prepare myself in time for the market day.
“I don’t have to pay for anything, all I have to do is sell my craft work such as pillow cases, Sulu’s, pot plants and Chinese buns. If I am lucky I can earn $100 to $200 and it depends since school started it’s been very quite.”
45 year old, Rajni Prasad a vendor as well anticipated a good crowd that turned up early in the morning.
“This event is good because it helps us women to learn new things and gain knowledge in running a business.
Ms Prasad was selling chutney, roti parcels and puri parcels which she estimated to earn roughly $200.