Joe Taoi.
The Fiji Indigenous Business Council symposium will be focusing on strengthening iTaukei entrepreneur’s decision-making.
The symposium, in partnership with Fijian Holdings Limited, will be held on March 19 and 20 at the Holiday Inn Suva.
Council secretary Joe Taoi said the theme for the first day of the symposium depicts the council’s aspirations.
“Our point of view is as iTaukei entrepreneurs, we need to make firm decisions,” he said.
“Like any decision, it must be informed, calculated, hence, the idea of sharing the theme ‘Indigenous businesses: creating our future’.
“The first day is directed towards promoting market access, networking and partnership with Melanesian indigenous community.
“Our key speakers were assessed on merit and experience that will offer quality advice to allow us to make decisions that is commercially sustainable and operationally viable.”
Fostering relationships
The speakers are indigenous business council leaders from the Melanesian Spearhead Group countries.
Mr Taoi highlighted the idea was to discuss various strategies that they can learn to foster closer working relationship.
“Moving into a new market is a challenge particularly with culture, geographic location and cost of doing business,” he said.
“It is the same challenges that are currently faced by private sectors and issues such as shipping, trade mission and boarder agencies protocol will sure be discussed.
“We are hoping that strengthening networks would create needed market penetration and partnership between boarders.”
Registration
r Registrations can be made at the Freight Services (Fiji) Limited at 24 Edinburgh Drive in Suva.
r Council members pay a fee of $130
r Members of the public pay a fee of $250 (both inclusive of meals)