The Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) has launched their Strategic Plan 2016- 2019, supported by the European Union and revamped website in Suva yesterday.

PIPSO’s chief executive Mereia Volavola said: “We are enhancing our communications and knowledge management platforms to ensure we strengthen our members.

“And promote the growth of Pacific businesses through online and interactive spaces.”

She said PIPSO must fully utilise innovative communication technologies as they aspire to become a leading information hub for members and stakeholders.

PIPSO’s chair Howard Politini complimented the organisation for this milestone.

“PIPSO has great plans and has much expectations from their members and stakeholders around the region, who convened and actively participated in July this year for a four-day interactive workshop.

Mr Politini said this was to deliberate and finalise the organisation’s strategic focus in the next four years.

The new Strategic Plan 2016- 2019 was supported by the European Union via the “Strengthening Non-State Actors Engagement in Regional Policy Development and Implementation Programme”, implemented by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).

Also speaking at the launch, European Union Ambassador to Pacific Andrew Jacobs said the Pacific private sector faces great challenges, such as access to markets, the high cost of transportation and lack of business knowledge, to name but a few.

“It also has excellent potential – for instance the Pacific has great products from the land and the sea, it has expertise in innovative and traditional design, and tourism presents many more opportunities.

“The EU is supporting PIPSO in its efforts to help unleash the potential of the Pacific private sector.’’

Website

With the funding support of the EU-ACP Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation in the Netherlands, PIPSO worked with local Pacific businesses to redesign and redevelop their website.

New features include a capability for agribusinesses to create their company profile on the website.

It also includes a range of useful templates, guides and resources for businesses, grants and training announcements, event online registrations and success stories of entrepreneurs from around the Pacific region.

Edited by: Farzana Nisha

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