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Auckland, New Zealand - Business Link Pacific (BLP) officially launched the Business Link Pacific Portal today in Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.

The Business Link Pacific Portal is an innovative online platform designed to connect quality business advisors with small and medium-sized growing businesses in the Pacific.

To mark the launch of the Portal, Business Link Pacific co-hosted four launch events, one in each country, which were open to small and medium sized businesses and free to attend.

Since the launch events were announced by Business Link Pacific on July 15, registrations have exceeded expectations and garnered local media coverage across all countries.

Over 800 small and medium sized businesses and business advisory service providers attended the four events and networking sessions, a clear indication of the level of interest in business advice in the Pacific region.

“We designed the BLP Portal to promote the high quality business services available in Pacific Island Countries, and to make the process of accessing expert business advice as streamlined as possible for growing Pacific businesses and the network of regional business advisors,” says Steve Knapp, Director of Business Link Pacific.

The multi-country launch event was a joint effort of Business Link Pacific and its In-country partners; Samoa Chamber of Commerce, the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation. Each launch event was officially opened by the respective New Zealand High Commissioner; in Vanuatu, His Excellency, Mr. Jonathan Schwass; in Fiji, His Excellency Mr. Jonathan Curr; in Samoa, His Excellency Dr. Trevor Matheson and in Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Mr. Philip Taula.

“The task of starting and developing a business is even harder in the Pacific, which has unique challenges around distance, isolation, problematic supply chains and small markets – and there isn’t necessarily a massive pool of support available,” says His Excellency, Mr. Jonathan Schwass, who officially opened the event in Vanuatu.

“The New Zealand Government considers that the Portal is an important addition to the valuable business support work that is carried out under the Business Link Pacific banner.”

A team of twenty plus Pacific Island-based marketing professionals took over the challenging task of organising the four events. As part of BLP’s Communication and Marketing team, they brought together twelve expert speakers from New Zealand, Australia and each hosting country, to talk about the challenges and opportunities for business development in the region, including connectivity, resilience, inclusion, technology, business compliance and the future of business in the Pacific Islands.

The main takeaways from the four events include the acknowledgment that connectivity and technology are bringing unprecedented opportunities to the region, alleviating some of its isolation issues.

These opportunities come with challenges that need the attention of both the private and governmental sectors.

The market for business services in the Pacific Islands is served by a high number of talented and experienced advisors that cater for small but growing businesses.

​Business Link Pacific is a conveyor of the business advice market, facilitating the connection between service providers and new clients.

For small and medium sized businesses, the Portal offers a free Business Health Check that identifies business gaps and connects them to a wide range of service providers that are quality approved by BLP, services that can be accessed at a subsidised rate.

For Business Advisors, the Portal offers a marketing tool to engage and provide financial benefits to eligible clients, as well as organisational and business development support from regional consultants.

​The Business Link Pacific Portal can be accessed via www.businesslinkpacific.com

PRESS RELEASE

The idea of convenient shopping has a new meaning with Pacific40 Limited launching its Talofa Voucher project in partnership with Ah Liki Wholesale Limited.

The tech company born out of The Pacific Business Hub and supported by the Samoa Business Network has established an e-commerce platform that allows customers in NZ and around the world with online banking/credit or debit card access to buy a shopping voucher for their family in Samoa.

What is unique about the concept is that the person buying the voucher will select the shop that is closer to where their family reside to redeem their Talofa Voucher. This means customers do not have to travel to Apia or Salelologa to redeem their vouchers but can do their shopping at a partner store that is closer to where they live. This will save money on transport and allow customers longer opening hours as most shops in villages are open until 10 or 11 o’clock at night.

“We are launching Talofa Voucher with the 4 Farmer Joe Supermarkets in Upolu to start with and then
hopefully expand to other retail stores around Upolu and Savaii,” said Falute Vaauli-Lene, Director and
Operations Manager of Pacific40 Limited.

She went on to acknowledge that the concept was only possible with a fully established retail infrastructure around Samoa and that is where the partnership with Ah Liki Wholesale Limited was important. Ah Liki Wholesale Limited has a strong network of retail shops around Samoa through their wholesale business and it is a vital component for the Talofa Voucher shopping experience.

“Ah Liki Wholesale Limited welcomes the opportunity to work with Pacific40 through the Talofa Voucher service as it will allow retail shops in Samoa access to customers in NZ and around the world to help drive sales” said Taimalieutu Charlie Westerlund owner of Ah Liki Investment Limited.

Talofa Voucher is now available for purchase to customers in NZ and around the world with voucher redemption at Farmer Joe Fugalei, Famer Joe Magi at Siusega, Farmer Joe at Vaitele Tai and Farmer Joe Aita at Saleimoa. For more information customers can visit Pacifi40 Limited Facebook page or their website at www.pacific40.com

Business Link Pacific (BLP) will officially launch the Business Link Pacific Portal on 1 and 2 August 2019 in Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.

The Business Link Pacific Portal is an innovative online platform designed to connect quality business advisors with
small and medium-sized growing businesses in the Pacific.

To mark the launch of the Portal, Business Link Pacific are co-hosting four launch events, one in each country, which are open to small and medium sized businesses and free to attend.

“We’re very excited to be launching the BLP Portal as the place for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to
find quality business advice across the Pacific region”, says Steve Knapp, Director of Business Link Pacific.

Each launch event will be opened by the respective New Zealand High Commission or by Business Link Pacific.

Following that will be a series of high impact presentations from industry experts on topical issues for small and medium sized businesses, demonstrations of the BLP Portal and concluding with an informal networking session.

Since the launch events were announced on BLP social media sites on July 15, interest for all events has been high and has also garnered local media coverage across all countries. Organisers are expecting up to 800 businesses in attendance across the four countries, a great opportunity for networking and business development.

“We designed the BLP Portal to promote the high quality business services available in Pacific Island Countries, and to make the process of accessing expert business advice as streamlined as possible for growing businesses and business advisors,” explains Mr. Knapp.

The Portal has beneficial services to both growing businesses and business advisors.

For small and medium sized businesses, the Portal offers a free Business Health Check that identifies business gaps and connects them to a wide range of business service providers that are quality approved by BLP, services that can be accessed at a subsidised rate.

For Business Advisors, the Portal offers a marketing tool to engage and provide financial benefits to eligible clients, as well as organisational and business development support from technical consultants.

BLP are encouraging growing businesses in all four countries to attend their respective launch event, registration is essential and attendance is free. Details for each BLP Portal Launch event are as follows:

• Vanuatu on Thursday 1 August at the Vanuatu Convention Centre, 3pm-5pm (VUT). Visit this event to see full details and to register your attendance.
• Samoa on Friday 2 August, 2pm-6pm (WST) at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel. Visit this event to see full details and to register your attendance.
• Fiji on Friday 2 August 2019, 2pm-6pm (FJT) at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus. Visit this event to see full details and to register your attendance.
• Papua New Guinea on Friday 2 August 2019, 6pm-9pm (Papua New Guinea Standard Time) at Port Moresby International Convention Centre. Visit this event to see full details and to register your attendance.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Sandra Mendez, Head of Communications &
Impact at Business Link Pacific on sandra.mendez@businesslinkpacific.com

Business Link Pacific is a private sector development programme funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa & Papua New Guinea. The BLP programme is currently operating in Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Papua New Guinea, with plans to extend services to other Pacific Islands.

Reliable business advice can have a significant positive impact on small or medium sized businesses, as demonstrated through the experiences of many across the Pacific region that have already worked with the BLP Advisor Network.

Business Link Pacific’s role is to connect small and medium sized businesses in the Pacific to local advisory services, which in turn stimulates a sustainable local market for business advice.

Launch event organisers
The Launch event in each country is being coordinated by the BLP team based in Auckland, New Zealand, in
partnership with our in-country partners:

• In Vanuatu: Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VCCI) and Savvy Vanuatu.
• In Samoa: Samoa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) and Events, Marketing & Distribution (EMD).
• In Papua New Guinea: Strategic Communication aka PNG SME Magazine.
• In Fiji: Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) and Webmedia South Pacific.

PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

​On Saturday 22 June 2019, at 6PM, join the Samoa Business Network (SBN) and the Samoan Business Community as we are hosted at the Samoa Consulate’s Fale o Samoa, 141 Bader Drive, Mangere, Auckland 2022.

Join SBN as we celebrate Samoa Independence, and to network together at this cocktail event, with the SBN’s new Board members, and hear a Key Note Address from former NRL star, turned successful Businessman and newly minted SBN Chairman Sione Faumuina as he expands on the vision his fellow Board members have for SBN’s local and international network and members.
​
Also in attendance will be the Coalition Government NZ Cabinet Minister of Pacific Peoples, Honorable Aupito Sua William Sio, our host Samoa Consul General of Auckland, His Excellency Mr. Faaolotoi Reupena Pogi, members and leaders of the business community, stakeholders, and others.

Questions & RSVP for event is crucial: info@samoabusinesssnetwork.org or contact Board Sec. Laura Keil-Hall at 021 659 072.
 
Event Details:
Cocktail event with drinks & nibbles
Saturday 22  JUNE 2019
6PM-8PM
Samoa Consulate – Fale o Samoa
141 Bader Drive, Managere, Auckland
Paid Event: $50PP

Tickets for the Event: BUY TICKETS!