Veitacini Tagilala had every reason to be over the moon on Thursday when she rubbed shoulders with peers to receive a certificate in Improve Your Business training.
Ms Tagilala, formerly a juice vendor at Lautoka market, said she was empowered to expand her business after the three-day workshop organised by South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) -a regional network of microfinance organisations in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Solomon Islands. SPBD works to eradicate women poverty by providing empowering business programmes.
Ms Tagilala was among 31 participants who graduated in a small but exciting ceremony, in the Sugar City.
Like her peers, costing was one of the bigger weaknesses of her business strategy.
“The training has improved me to better manage my business and my family,” she said.
“It broadened my mindset, and gave me ideas on areas to grow my business.
“ I also made new friends.”
Ms Tagilala plans to establish a second business to run along side what she has got going at the moment.
The training was designed for participants in the Nadi-Ba corridor, in the micro business sector. Most participants of the programme were self employed in the areas of manufacturing, service providers, retail, and wholesale.
“Most operate out of villagers,” said SPBD’s MSME Fiji business trainer Aslam Khan.
Ministry of Co-operatives divisional manager Kamlesh Prasad informed graduates of a host of avenues the Government had in place to assist micro business owners.
“If you want to export to the US or China, we have trade missions there to help you,” Mr Prasad said.
“There is a one-third-two-third basis by which grants are offered, and for rural areas the ceiling offered is as much as $100,000.
“If you have challenges in marketing your products, we can help.”
Story By: Frederica Elbourne
Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj