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Last week, Business Link Pacific celebrated a milestone in four Pacific Island nations, over two spectacular days.
The Business Link Pacific Portal was officially launched in the Pacific region on the 1st and 2nd of August, with launch events in Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.
The launch of the BLP Portal in the Pacific region was a very proud moment for the entire BLP team, made possible by strong working relationships with our in-Country partners and with the support and funding of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
What set these events apart from traditional launch parties were the prolific industry guest speakers at each event. Each guest speaker shared invaluable insights from their field of expertise on trending business topics, which set the scene for the introduction of the new and innovative BLP Portal.
Here are some of the highlights from each event.
We kicked the multi-country event off in Vanuatu on August 1 at the Vanuatu Convention Centre in Port Vila, 3pm (VUT). Business Link Pacific was represented by Deputy Director, Paul Wendland and the event was facilitated by Howard Aru. His Excellency, Mr. Jonathan Schwass, New Zealand High Commissioner to Vanuatu delivered a powerful address to begin the event, citing the launch of the BLP Portal as an important step forward for growing businesses in Vanuatu.
“I’ve run a small business myself and I know how hard this is. And I know how much easier it would have been if there had been someone around who could’ve guided me through the minefield of things I needed to know. 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. And that’s where Business Link Pacific comes in.”
– His Excellency, Mr. Jonathan Schwass, New Zealand High Commissioner to Vanuatu
The event continued with guest presentations from; Shaun Gilchrist (President, Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Jack Loughman (GM, Vanuatu Cooperative Business Network), Votausi Mckenzie-Reur (MD, Lapita Café) and Glen Craig (Chairperson, Vanuatu Business Resilience Council).
Congratulations and thank you to event managers and BLP in-Country Partners Savvy Vanuatu and the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce & Industry for the stellar job in promoting and staging the Vanuatu BLP Portal Launch event.
From L-R; Glen Craig (Vanuatu Business Resilience Council), Votausi Mckenzie-Reur (Lapita Cafe), Howard Aru (Facilitator), Shaun Gilchrist (VCCI), Jack Loughman (Vanuatu Cooperative Business Network), His Excellency, Mr. Jonathan Schwass, Paul Wendland (BLP Deputy), Yvonne Leo Taiki (BLP/VCCI).
Next to launch the BLP Portal was Samoa on August 2 at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel in Apia, 2pm (WST). The event was well attended by growing businesses and local business service providers, and facilitated by Director of Pacific Global Solutions, Tuiloma Sina Retzlaff. An impressive turnout considering BLP is relatively new to Samoa, having been introduced to the business sector in January 2019.
His Excellency, Dr. Trevor Matheson, New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa addressed those in attendance followed by a series of riveting guest speaker presentations from; Emma Crawford Falekaono (Consultant, Business Link Pacific), Peseta Afoa Arasi Tiotio (Madam President, Women in Business Development Incorporation (WIBDI), Taimalieutu Ernest Betham (Managing Partner, BDO Samoa) and Fa’aso’otauloa Sam Saili (CEO, SkyEye Pacific).
Business Link Pacific was represented at the event by Head of Communications & Impact, Sandra Mendez.
Congratulations and thank you to event managers and BLP in-Country Partners EMD Samoa and Samoa Chamber of Commerce & Industry, for successfully promoting and staging the Samoa BLP Portal Launch event.
From L-R; Tuiloma Sina Retzlaff (Facilitator), Fa’aso’otauloa Sam Saili (SkyEye Pacific), Peseta Afoa Arasi Tiotio (WIBDI), Sandra Mendez (BLP), Emma Crawford Falekaono (BLP), Taimalieutu Ernest Betham (BDO Samoa), Jennifer Fruean (SCCI), John Lemoa (BLP/SCCI).
From Samoa to Fiji for the next Portal launch event at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus in Suva on August 2, 2pm (FJT).
Business Link Pacific was represented at the event by Business Operations Coordinator, Amrita Midha, with the launch officially opened by His Excellency, Mr. Jonathan Curr, New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji.
“The BLP Network of local business advisors in these countries has been instrumental in helping SMEs to increase revenue, productivity and jobs…the increased business performance contributes to higher economic growth and sets a great example for other entrepreneurs wanting to grow their businesses.”
“I was really impressed with today’s launch event. I was really encouraged by the turnout. It was a really large audience, they were really engaged. You can tell that by the way that you could hear people talking to each other in the audience. The way they were clearly appreciating some of the really fabulous speakers that participated in today’s launch as well.”
– His Excellency, Mr. Jonathan Curr, New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji
Around 250 guests filled the lecture theatre to hear guest presentations from; Christina Rokoua, (Manager Financial System Development, Reserve Bank of Fiji), Wyndi Tagi and Eli Tagi (Co-founders, WE Accounting (NZ)), Steve Reid (Executive Director, Webmedia South Pacific) and Lance Seeto (Award-winning Executive Chef, Malamala Beach Club Fiji).
Congratulations and thank you to event managers and BLP in-Country Partners Webmedia South Pacific and Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation, for an efficiently organised and strongly promoted Fiji BLP Portal Launch event.
From L-R; His Excellency, Mr Jonathan Curr, Christina Rokoua (Reserve Bank of Fiji), Bernadette Nicholls (Vice President, Women Entrepreneurs Business Council), Steve Reid (Webmedia South Pacific), Lance Seeto (Malamala Beach Club Fiji), Wyndi Tagi (WE Accounting), Eli Tagi (WE Accounting), Amrita Midha (BLP).
And last but certainly not least, the BLP Portal launch made its final stop at the Port Moresby International Convention Centre, in Papua New Guinea on August 2, at 6pm (PGT).
Business Link Pacific was represented at the event by Director, Steve Knapp. The event was officially launched by His Excellency, Mr Philip Taula, New Zealand High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea.
Over 200 guests attended the event to celebrate the introduction of the BLP Portal to PNG and to hear from guest presenters; Jennifer Bartlett (Business Consultant, BLP), Annette Sete (Owner of Maku Gifts and PNG fashion designer), and Craig Hudson (Managing Director of Xero New Zealand) who delivered his presentation by video.
Congratulations and thank you to event managers and BLP in-Country Partners StratCom PNG, for successfully coordinating and promoting the PNG BLP Portal Launch event.
From L-R; Steve Knapp (BLP), Annette Sete (Maku Gifts/Lavagirl), His Excellency, Mr. Philip Taula.
The launch of the Business Link Pacific Portal was a great success in all four countries, the beginning of a new chapter for growing businesses in the region. Business Link Pacific will continue updating and improving the Portal to facilitate the connection of businesses with quality advice.
Using the Portal is easy as one, two, three! Click HERE to learn how to use the Portal.
Use the BLP Portal today to transform your business with quality advice https://businesslinkpacific.com/