Workshop focus: SME growth, innovation, and support
A successful inaugural SME workshop was held at the Scenic Matavai Resort last week with the aim of strengthening the capacity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Niue.
Business Link Pacific hosted the event with partners the Niue Chamber of Commerce (NCOC) and the Niue Development Bank (NDB).
The event gathered 25 SME participants along with BLP advisors, consultants, and key stakeholders, including the New Zealand High Commissioner to Niue, His Excellency Mark Gibb.
The High Commissioner spoke about the growth demonstrated through BLP’s activities in the Pacific and an aspiration that this workshop would support similar progress in Niue. He noted in New Zealand, SMEs employ over 15% of the national workforce, many with fewer than 10 employees. Their contribution is significant and illustrates the essential role SMEs play in any economy.
The High Commissioner also highlighted the importance of improved tax compliance as part of robust financial management, describing it as a shared responsibility. He noted the workshop offers an opportunity for participants to challenge the mindset of “we’ve always done it this way,” observing new approaches are key to business success.
CEO Catherine Etuata Papani of the Niue Chamber of Commerce welcomed all attendees and acknowledged the ongoing support of funding from New Zealand to the BLP programme. She recognised the strong collaboration between BLP, NCOC and NDB, in organising the workshop and introduced the visiting BLP team—consultant Ramesh Chand, and advisors Faizal Shiek and Stuart Gow—advisors who have previously worked with Niuean businesses.
BLP consultant Ramesh Chand provided an overview of the programme’s achievements in Niue, outlining the range of support already delivered to local businesses.
The workshop also served as the starting point for scheduled one-on-one meetings between BLP advisors and individual businesses. These sessions are intended to assess specific needs and offer tailored support, particularly in preparing financial reports and adopting accounting software, ensuring businesses have the tools required to operate efficiently and confidently.
The General Manager of the Niue Development Bank, Jesse Koorey-Slow highlighted NDB’s loan products and encouraged businesses to take the next step in improving financial management by adopting accounting software.
The event concluded with a renewed sense of collaboration and optimism. With continued support from BLP, NDB, NCOC, and New Zealand, Niue’s SMEs are well-positioned to strengthen their operations, embrace new practices, and contribute to the island’s economic growth.
BLP is a private sector development programme funded by the New Zealand government and delivered by DT-Global. Working across the Pacific with in-country partners, BLP support the growth and development of SMEs by connecting businesses to quality, affordable and accessible advisory and financial services.
Niue based SMEs can start their journey with BLP, by self-assessing their needs by using the free BLP 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. Businesses can also check their business’s resilience to respond to crises or climate change challenges via the Business Continuity Planner and the Climate Action Sensor. If a SME prefers to meet a local BLP representative in person, they can get in touch with BLP’s Niue partner, the Niue Chamber of Commerce.