FIJI: BLP supporting woman-led hardware business Dispatch & Delivery
“Why don’t I open my own hardware business?” was a question that often crossed Laleena Devi’s mind while managing purchasing at Custom Bilts Sheet Metal Co. Ltd, where she served as one of the directors.
Today, that vision continues to grow as Laleena, the founder of Dispatch & Delivery PTE Limited and her brand Wiseup, celebrate a major milestone with the official handover of a Hino 814 delivery truck, the purchase of which was supported through a Co-Investment Fund (CIF) grant from Business Link Pacific (BLP).
BLP is a private sector development programme funded by the New Zealand government and delivered by DT-Global.
The keys to the new truck were officially handed over to Laleena by Adam Crichton, First Secretary at the New Zealand High Commission in Fiji, during his visit alongside Ramesh Chand, BLP Stakeholder and Business Manager, and Deepak Prasad, BLP Business Service Manager, from Business Assistance Fiji. The visit took place at Dispatch & Delivery PTE Limited’s premises in Walu Bay, Suva.
Speaking during the handover, Laleena expressed her excitement and gratitude for the BLP support.
“Every day I think about what I can do to grow this business, what I can do to bring in more products to meet people’s demand. With the help of BLP, it is just marvellous,” she shared while guiding the visiting delegation through her shop and showing them the newly delivered truck.
She added that the financial support came at a crucial time for her growing business.
“Nowadays people can’t even take $100 out of their pocket easily, and BLP has given $40,000. It is a huge amount of money. I am really thankful and grateful for that,” Laleena said.
Before acquiring the truck, Laleena relied on her Prius vehicle to deliver smaller hardware items and hired larger trucks when bigger deliveries were required. While this allowed her to serve customers, it often meant making multiple trips or facing higher delivery costs when transporting large orders such as timber and cement.
Despite these challenges, Laleena remained committed to meeting customer demands and ensuring timely delivery of orders. She actively sought assistance from various ministries and financial institutions to secure support for a delivery vehicle, but her initial attempts were unsuccessful.
The BLP Co-Investment Fund (CIF)
She applied for the BLP CIF grant in 2025. The CIF grant provides financial support by matching SME investments to increase the size and impact of larger projects. The CIF grant is designed to enhance access to finance and investment by also providing targeted support for SMEs.
The CIF grant provides professional business advisors and services to develop project ideas and finance options. It requires applicants to have matching funds to implement the project. Matching funds can be from savings, loans, or other financial options. The CIF grant was opened in Fiji in late May 2025 and closed on 25th June 2025.
Laleena says she was lucky as her CIF application got approved for $40,000FJD. With her contribution from her business of $47,900FJD, she was able to purchase the truck worth $87,900.
Her determination to expand her business had already been recognized earlier – in 2023, she received subsidy support from Business Assistance Fiji to install payroll software, significantly easing her administrative workload and strengthening her operations under the business’s WiseUp brand.
Laleena established Dispatch & Delivery PTE Limited in 2018 after gaining valuable industry knowledge while working in the sheet metal and hardware sector. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued operating her business from her home in Vatuwaqa before relocating to Matua Street in Walu Bay in September 2023. The move significantly increased her sales due to improved accessibility for customers.
Today, Dispatch & Delivery PTE Limited supplies a wide range of hardware materials and provides delivery services from the Navua to Nausori corridor. The business also delivers materials to Narayan Jetty for customers in the outer islands, including Kadavu, Lomaiviti, and Rotuma.
Challenges
As a woman leading a business in a male-dominated industry, Laleena said she often faces questions about how she manages to operate in the sector.
“People always ask how I manage to be in a men’s business. I always tell them that I am a tough lady myself and I will never give up,” she said.
She acknowledged that challenges still remain, particularly the shortage of skilled labour.
“One big issue is the shortage of labour and skilled workers. Yet I still don’t give up. I even help my team offload materials from our containers when needed,” she said.
Reflecting on her journey, Laleena admitted that the path has not always been easy.
“There were times I cried because there were so many obstacles, but I never gave up,” she shared.
With the new delivery truck now part of her operations, Laleena believes her business will be able to meet growing customer demand more efficiently.
“This truck will take our delivery operations to another level and allow us to better serve our customers,” she said.
During the ceremony, Mr. Crichton acknowledged Laleena’s determination and commended her confidence in running and expanding her business.
Business Assistance Fiji, in partnership with Business Link Pacific, is dedicated to helping local enterprises thrive by providing expert guidance, tailored support, and access to valuable resources. Together, we strengthen Fijian businesses, build resilience, and open doors to regional opportunities, driving sustainable growth for entrepreneurs and communities. Follow our social media channels for more updates and success stories.
Left to right: San Dip Chandra (Dispatch & Delivery Manager), Ramesh Chand (Stakeholder & Business Manager, BLP New Zealand), Ravendra Kumar, (Dispatch & Deliveries Director), Adam Crichton (First Secretary, New Zealand High Commission in Fiji), Laleena Devi (Founder & Director, Dispatch & Delivery with her new Hino truck keys), Deepak Prasad (Business Service Manager (BAF/BLP) Fiji).