SIYB graduates ready to launch new businesses

By Brittany Nawaqatabu

Eighteen aspiring entrepreneurs – half of them returning Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme workers – have graduated from the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) training programme organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Business Development.

Officiating the ceremony, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Business Development, Dr Radhika Kumar said the occasion marks the organising, commitment, determination and potential in the startup journey for the entrepreneurs.

 The cohort consisted of 11 women and seven men is the fifth group to go through the program, but the first cohort to combine returned workers and local entrepreneurs.

Hailing from the province of Tailevu, PALM returnee Rusiate Tuilevukana said the training was an eye-opener, especially in terms of saving money to start a business.

“Learning how to use your skills and knowledge to develop a business is something I lacked and this training helped me understand these aspects of running a business”, he said.

He added that learning to budget is his key takeaway from three-day training.

“We were taught that before starting our business, the most important thing we have to learn to do is budget and that starts from home”, he reflected.

Tuilevukana has his eye set on kickstarting a livestock and vegetable farm.

“I am excited to use the knowledge I’ve gained to start my own farming business especially as I live in the village where nothing is difficult- everything is there”, he shared.

Agricultural grants is also something Tuilevukana has on his radar.

“I am looking forward to getting support in terms of machinery.”

He encourages upcoming entrepreneurs to make use of the land that is readily available.

“We are the owners of our land. We can earn money from making use of what we have. To the PALM Scheme workers, I encourage you to come back and help develop our country.”

The SIYB programme also attracted local aspiring entrepreneurs, including Ilisaveci Viriki Lutu who runs Ili’s Handicrafts located at Suva market.

Lutu works with raw materials such as voivoi (pandanus leaves) to make mats. Reflecting on the training, she said it reminded her of aspects of running a business that are often taken for granted or overlooked.

“It was a good opportunity to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a current running business, especially on the financial side”, she said

Lutu added that learning to properly record financial books as well as planning and budgeting was the highlight for her.

The raw materials Lutu uses were initially sourced from her village in Nairai, Lomaiviti. She has since ventured out to neighbouring villages on her island.

“I give back to my people by buying from them and I then sell with a margin over here to gain a profit. Having recently received a grant will help me diversify and go a bit further than selling voivoi”, she said

Lutu added that understanding whether a business is gaining profit or remaining stagnant is vital.

“I highly encourage people running small businesses to make an effort to find out what the Ministry has to offer. Even though you’re already running your business, there are still a lot of things you can learn in terms of the overall financial literacy of your business.”.

Dr Kumar described the SIYB programme as a stepping stone towards building successful businesses. She also reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to providing returned workers with further training and support, stressing that “no returned worker will be left behind.”