Pacific Islands Business News from Business Link Pacific

Case study · Samoa

SAMOA: BLP Support for Creatives

Fine Mat Creative owner Liz Ah-Hi has been a Business Link Pacific business service provider since 2019 and she encourages small business owners to take advantage of the services available to them.

21 November 2023

Case study · Papua New Guinea

PNG: There is power in community - The story of Unen Choit Cooperative and where your coffee comes from.

With a territory spanning two provinces, three local governments and seven districts, the 1,750 farmers who make up the Unen Choit Cooperative Society have been growing the coffee, you may be enjoying right now, for over 15 years.

8 November 2023

Sweet Endings selling Point in Fiji with owner and team members

Case study · Fiji

FIJI: It’s never too late to start your sweet dreams

BLP grant recipient Marina Fesaitu was young when she learned the art of baking from her mother. Today, at the age of 57, she runs a bakery at Joes Farm in Suva, and two cake shops also in Suva named Sweet Endings Fiji which specialize in baking a variety of cakes and pastries for all…

31 October 2023

RSIPF EOD Officer – UXO Disposal, Solomon Islands

Case study · Solomon Islands

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Clearing the shadows of war – SIEOTEC and a BLP Grant make the Solomon Islands safer.

Solomon Islands is renowned for hosting one of the most ferocious battles in history during World War II. The Battle for Guadalcanal stands as a monumental chapter in the nation's history.

18 October 2023

The Hideaway Café – Floating Café, Tonga

Case study · Tonga

TONGA: Change is the only constant for Hideaway Café

Like many business owners in Tonga and across the Pacific, Charlett and Barry Millen are adaptation experts, rising to any challenge and just making it work. For example, the first problem they faced in Tonga was how will we make peperoni sausage with no pork? No worries. They now make a delicious spicy chicken sausage…

29 September 2023

Treasure House Savaii – Beachfront, Samoa

Case study · Samoa

SAMOA: Spinning gold from, well, gold

After ten years in business, facing one challenge after another, Treasure House in rural Savaii is slowly becoming a treasure for entrepreneur and owner Taunese Purvis. Local customers visit Treasure House for watch repairs and jewellery, much of which is locally made, including the popular Polynesian design wedding rings.

20 September 2023

Mama Annie’s photo of Mama Annie's Treats - Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce

Case study · Cook Islands

COOK ISLANDS: Mama Annie’s Treats by the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce

The Covid-19 pandemic brought many challenges to the Cook Islands, but also many opportunities. Some challenges meant cultural aspects of our lives were forced to adapt, while other challenges opened doors for businesses as they responded to the new economic environment with new products, methods or markets. Denied the usual steady flow of visitors into…

28 April 2023

Baeto Enterprises workers at timber workshop, Solomon Islands

Case study · Solomon Islands

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Baeto Enterprises grows with help from a BLP Adaptation Grant

Located in Taro Town, Choiseul Province – some two hours flight from Honiara – is William Sualau, entrepreneur and owner of Baeto Enterprises. William supplies small retail stores in Taro Town and the surrounding rural communities with general household goods, manufactured food items, fuel and electrical items brought in by ship from Honiara.

27 October 2022

Case study · Tonga

TONGA: Dental Clinic upgrades technology with the help of a BLP Adaptation Grant

There’s no doubt Tonga has suffered more than its share of catastrophes in recent times. For Tongovua Fifita, owner and chief dental officer of JeLDSa Dental Clinics, the first catastrophe was the tsunami in December 2021. Located close to the shore, the tsunami wiped out the clinic building and much of the dental equipment, including…

11 October 2022

DAT Car Rentals – Samoa Adaptation Grant

Case study · Samoa

SAMOA: How DAT Car Rentals adapted to a new business climate

For a car rental business anywhere around the world, but particularly in a location close to 100% reliant on the tourist business, the pandemic has been challenging. Very successful business DAT Car Rentals was no exception. Their business was decimated.

27 September 2022

Chouttu's Guadalcanal Produce – BLP Grant, Solomon Islands

Case study · Solomon Islands

SOLOMON ISLANDS: How Chouttu's Guadalcanal Products improved its bottom line with help from BLP Business Advisors

Chottu’s Guadalcanal Products is a family business. Simon Chottu came on board in 2016 to manage the media side of the business, supplying technical expertise beyond his father’s skill. He has slowly moved into managing all the business side of things alongside his brother, who takes care of the plantation. It’s been a busy few…

20 September 2022

Oporo, Tuava and Ara branded t-shirts, Cook Islands

Case study · Cook Islands

COOK ISLANDS: Well-loved design brand become the first to offer embroidery services, thanks to Adaptation Grant

Ana File Heather is the Managing Director of Fave Designs - Red Door Rarotonga and South INTL. She is also the first-ever recipient of the Cook Islands Business & Professional Women (CIBPW) Emerging Entrepreneur Award 2017 and a Business Mentor for the Taki Tahi- Cook Islands Young Entrepreneur Network, the US International Visitor Leadership Program…

15 September 2022