The BLP programme
Business Link Pacific (BLP) connects small and medium sized businesses in the Pacific to local advisory services. The BLP quality approved network of advisors offers accessible services for business growth. Furthermore, BLP offers subsidies to help businesses improve their outcomes.
Our Purpose
We are committed to supporting and growing a local and quality-approved Network of Business Advisory Service Providers in the Pacific Islands. The BLP Network assists local businesses with expert advice in 15 areas, including accounting, marketing, diversity and inclusion and strategy. Services help businesses improve their operations and gain better access to finance.
We work with Private Sector Organisations (PSOs) and Financial Institutions to connect Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to advisory and financial services that are appropriate, affordable, and accessible.
Who we are
BLP is a private sector development programme funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and delivered by DT-Global. BLP takes a market systems approach, contributing to the development of the market for business and financial services in the Pacific Islands.
To enable meaningful and sustainable market connections, we offer SMEs a Toolkit for self assessment and financing services. We support partners with a range of professional development support and technical assistance.
Our core team is based in New Zealand and is supported by in-country partners in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
We are establishing new partnerships in four countries: Nauru, Niue, Tokelau and Tuvalu.
BLP’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Approach
We recognise the critical role that Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) plays within all spheres and contexts when working with SMEs in the Pacific.
BLP takes a thoughtful approach to GESI integration by mainstreaming GESI throughout key spheres of influence such that positive outcomes permeate the programme and beyond.
Firstly, we work closely with staff and key partners to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead in integrating GESI throughout their activities and in all their interactions relating to the programme.
Secondly, BLP has ensured that all our services, including diagnostic tools such as the Business Health Check and the Business Continuity Planner, as well as our subsidy scheme, grants and concessional loans, prioritise ways in which gender equality and social inclusion can be achieved and promoted.
Where we work
The BLP programme operates in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
We welcome expressions of interest to become part of the Network from advisors, SMEs and PSOs in four new countries: Nauru, Niue, Tokelau, and Tuvalu to the Network.
We assist small and medium-sized businesses across a range of sectors to access support in the following areas: