By FARISHA AHMED
The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation held a marketing and quality assurance workshop for Small Medium Entrepreneurs (SME’s) on Friday in Suva.
The one day workshop, jointly organised by the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation and Fiji Export Council, was attended by 10 participants.
The workshop was to train entrepreneurs on the marketing and quality assurance principle that are relevant to global business needs.
Training personnel, Suka Salusalu, said most of the businesses have their own marketing strategies in place but the problem lies in the quality of the product.
“We want these businesses to be able to identify their key weaknesses and work on getting their brands recognised for their quality as well,” she said.
“Our main objective is to provide a sustainable quality and marketing culture embedded in the business communities interested in exporting overseas.”
Exploring opportunities
Ms Salusalu said after the workshop, participants will be able to identify ways to increase trade opportunities for Fijian businesses internationally.
“They need to maintain a consistency with their suppliers and educate them so that they are able to sign contract as most do not have a contract with their suppliers,” she said.
“These businesses need to be educated on how they can work towards adopting the ‘True Pacific,’ quality mark.”
She said so far, Pure Fiji has been labeled with the True Pacific mark.
Workshop feedback
At the end of the workshop, participants said they had learnt a great deal as they were taught how to restructure their business and work towards improving the quality of their product.
Api Kurusiga from Lapita Marketing said the workshop has prepared her to look out for the future and work on maintaining a standard product.
“I am grateful for this workshop as this has confirmed my progress into a better distributor of honey, virgin coconut oil, gourmet sea salt and eight different hands- made soaps,” she said
“I now know that I have to make changes and first I have to get my suppliers to sign a contract so they know they are part of my business.
“This will actually help us to maintain consistency because at times when we have to export products abroad, we have to run around for our suppliers.”