BLP supports KCCI to strengthen its digital presence

New Zealand through the BLP programme recently supported the Kiribati Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to strengthen its digital presence and integrate the BLP website and services into the KCCI website.

Business Services Manager in Kiribati, Akoia Manikai Iabeta reports on how this initiative has strengthened KCCI’s organisational capacity, digital systems and provided Kiribati businesses access to BLP’s online Business Toolkit.

Connecting BLP services with KCCI's digital platform

“The initiative reflects BLP's commitment to working alongside private sector organisations in the Pacific,” says Akoia. The integration of the BLP Toolkit into the KCCI website provides a direct connection between KCCI's online platform and BLP’s website.

This connection provides KCCI members, businesses and other stakeholders access to BLP’s Business Toolkit - a collection of free tools and resources that help businesses detect potential problem areas and connects them to quality business advisory service providers.

For this project, local Kiribati BLP approved advisor Kanaan Nguutu of Quadem Services provided the technical support funded by the BLP Advisor Subsidy Scheme. BLP subsidy can be accessed by eligible SMEs to assist with advisor fees with BLP approved Business Advisors:  https://businesslinkpacific.com/search

“It demonstrates the value of BLP's subsidy mechanism in enabling local private sector organisations to access local specialised expertise to address practical organisational and digital needs. We value the support provided by Kanaan Nguutu to carry out this website integration and support KCCI in strengthening our digital platform,” said Akoia.

Local technical advice supporting KCCI's capacity to manage its own website

The BLP-supported engagement went beyond the technical integration of the websites. “Following completion of the integration work, Kanaan conducted a two-hour practical website management training session for KCCI management and staff.”

The KCCI team were guided through the website's administration system, providing practical instruction on how to:

●        Log into their KCCI website administrator accounts;

●        Navigate the website's content management system;

●        Add, edit and update website content;

●        Maintain and manage information published on the website;

●        Update the Kiribati-language versions of the website; and

●        Undertake routine website maintenance and content updates.

This practical training was designed to ensure KCCI staff could take ownership of the website and manage routine content updates internally.

“The engagement with Kanaan Ngutu provided KCCI both the technical service required for the website integration but also the knowledge transfer necessary for KCCI staff to manage the platform independently,” says Akoia.

The technical delivery of the initiative by a local adviser demonstrates the role that local advisory and technical service providers can play in supporting private sector organisations in Kiribati.

This combination of local technical delivery and capacity building is an important aspect of the BLP subsidy approach, as it allows businesses and private sector organisations to access specialised services locally and strengthen their internal capabilities.

Strengthening digital capacity through BLP support

The KCCI website integration and training demonstrate how BLP's support can translate into practical improvements for businesses and organisations.

By funding access to technical expertise through its subsidy scheme, BLP has supported KCCI to:

●        Strengthen its digital presence;

●        Improve access to BLP business support information;

●        Connect its online platform with BLP services;

●        Develop staff capacity in website management;

●        Improve the availability of information in both English and Kiribati; and

●        Build greater organisational ownership of its digital platform.

The initiative also highlights the importance of the collaboration between BLP, KCCI and local advisory expertise in developing sustainable solutions that respond to the practical needs of Pacific private sector organisations.

For KCCI, the strengthened website provides an important platform for communicating with members and the wider business community. For BLP, the initiative provides another avenue through which businesses in Kiribati can access information about available business support and services.

The successful completion of the website integration, technical training and handover demonstrates the practical value of BLP's subsidy support in strengthening the capacity and digital readiness of Pacific business organisations.

Learn more about KCCI and access the integrated BLP resources through the KCCI website at www.kcci.org.ki.

Main image from left: KCCI CEO, Arobati Teewe Brechtefeld, Account staff Ms Taarai Enoka, Account Staff Ms Maureen Tioti, SynBiz Solution staff Matarena Taniera, Accountant Ms Rubetang Tekite. Kanaan Ngutu from Quadem Services. (Missing in the photo but also attending the training – Account Intern staff Ms Aribo Tangaroa and BSM Akoia Manikai Iabeta)

BLP supports SMEs across 12 Pacific Island nations by connecting businesses with quality advisory services, business tools, grants, concessionary lending, and other financial services designed to support inclusive and resilient private sector growth.

To start your journey with BLP, you can self-assess your needs by using the free online tools available to help small- and medium-sized businesses diagnose areas in their businesses that an advisor could improve.

The first step can be the online Business Health Check. You can also check your business's resilience to respond to crises or climate change challenges on the Business Continuity Planner and the Climate Action Sensor. If you prefer to meet a local BLP representative in person to discuss your business, get in touch with our local partners to arrange a face-to-face Diagnostic.