Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry: Positive Partnerships with BLP

In partnership with core “in-country network representatives” (ICNRs), including Chambers of Commerce, BLP is able to raise awareness of the availability of business advisory services to SMEs and facilitate access to those services through accurate diagnosis and referral.

The demand stimulated by ICNRs leveraging their networks to engage directly with SMEs is BLP’s preferred service delivery mechanism across the Pacific Islands, including Tonga. 

Tonga Chamber provides business services to any business, of any size, and in any industry in the Kingdom of Tonga. From large fisheries operations to streetside barbecue vendors, all are welcome. 

Even though the advice is free, the problem is getting the smaller businesses in the door. With their reticent and self-effacing nature, the Tongan people really don’t like asking for help and they really don’t like sharing their financial issues with outsiders. 

Breaking down these barriers with regular visits to far flung islands, members of the Chamber travel – outside of their own working hours – armed with refreshments to palanoa with the many small business owners, usually operating in the informal sector.

 “Businesses are not going to come to the Chamber unless they are shown what is available,” says President of Tonga Chamber, Paula Taumoepeau. He continues, “The objective is to identify businesses which truly want to grow. Having identified a business with this potential, we invite the owner to our offices in town to talk about how we can help.” 

Paula believes it is important to get businesses out of the informal sector not just to increase tax revenue to boost the infrastructure of Tonga, but to ensure the people working for these businesses are being cared for properly.

“It is usual in the informal sector to not provide usual benefits of employment such as annual leave or sick leave, and we want to change that.” 

To grow, these businesses frequently need funding, which means demonstrating that their business is serious.

“That means a business plan, financial records, and a decent proposal,” says Paula. He further explains, “With very limited resources – both human and technological – we work with businesses to develop this information, down to setting up a room in our premises specifically to teach business owners how to record their income and expenses using Excel.”

It’s not uncommon for the Chamber to spend up to two years training and developing the business owner’s skills. 

It’s early days for Tonga Chamber’s relationship with BLP, but Paula Taumoepeau can see that BLP’s programme offers something which hasn’t been done before in Tonga.

“We need assistance, and this programme addresses the cost issue and recognises that there is a need for business advisory services if businesses in Tonga are to grow.” 

BLP and Tonga Chamber have a promising new partnership that will prove to be of great benefit to businesses in Tonga. 

If you are a business owner in Tonga looking for business advice or a business advisor, get in contact today with BLP’s local representative at [email protected] or visit the Tonga Chamber of Commerce for a face to face consultation.