Inspired by Indonesian speakers, Apisake Kurusiga, aims to do well in her business.

She was among seven Fijian women who attended the Entrepreneurship Camp: International Workshop on Entrepreneurship for Asia Pacific in Jakarta, Indonesia, from November 8 to 12.

After retiring as a senior business development manager for Australia Business, Ms Kurusiga is now running her own business selling Fijian-made products in Fiji and abroad.

Ms Kurusiga owns the Lapita Marketing Enterprises. It has been operating for six years.

“My trip to Indonesia was so inspiring,” she said.

“We had experienced speakers who spoke to us on how to run our business. It was nice to hear from one of the speakers at the workshop who was only 50-years-old and did not own anything before that. At the age of 45, he started his motorbike business and now his motorbikes are recognised in Indonesia.

“We were given amazing tips on how to run our business.”

Ms Kurusiga only uses local resources to make her products. She sells honey, virgin coconut oil, Noni juice, handmade soap, ginger powder, and basil powder and layalaya tonic (medicine).

“I have sold my product overseas and we had been exporting our Noni juice to China.”

Ms Kurusiga advises women to start their business to earn for their livelihood.

Women’s Expo

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar said: “Since its inception in 2014, the National Women’s Expo had grown in popularity nationally, regionally and internationally.

“We have witnessed that this platform is an avenue to inspire women’s creativity and skills to be recogonised.”

Total sales made during the three-day National Women’s Expo in October recorded $352,000.

This is sales by 570 women who were chosen for the event, from food vendors and sale of pot plants.

Edited by: Maikeli Seru

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