MARAIA VULA
suva
Salote Masitabua of Nagadoa in Nabouwalu, Bua, Vanua Levu, was all smiles at the Fiji Development Bank market day on Saturday. She was selling fish in her stall during the market day.
Ms Masitabua said: “I came all the way from Vanua Levu just to be part of this event as it was an avenue to get a good return especially when it’s being sold at a good price.
“I have divers who supply the fish to me and I sell it at cheaper prices in Vanua Levu and I earn less compared to Suva where the price is high and I make a profit.
“I brought in 50 bundles of fish which was sold for $25 a bundle. It only took 30 minutes from 6 to 6.30am and it was all sold out.
“From these sales I would definitely participate in the next event.
“I am a housewife. I don’t depend on my husband. Even though he is supportive, I do my own business which is selling fish.”
Her advice to mothers was: “We can play our part to support our families through small businesses don’t have to necessarily depend on our husbands.”
FDB media and community relations officer, Lote Raboila, said the event has gained popularity in creating a one-stop-shop.
“Basically this event is just a preparation of what we would like to do also at other divisions as there have been a lot of interests from our North and Western customers,” he said.
“We bring our clients to sell their various wares without competing with each other as we ensure that only one vendor sells root crops and another sells vegetables.”
He stressed this would maximise the returns on their produce.
The market day is an initiative by the bank to showcase the enormous agricultural and small to medium enterprises potential in Fiji.
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