Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere advised Macuata women yesterday not to be afraid to get their own business.

During the opening of the South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Microfinance Fiji Limited office in the main street of Labasa Town, the chief guest, Ratu Wiliame said women were smart managers.

He told the women gathered that they were already chief executive officers in their house.

“You are all mothers which means you have been managing finance, time and materials for your family, making sure they survive each day,” he said.

“So do not be afraid to start your business and do not be afraid of failure.

“If you work hard surely success will come your way.

“Be honest to yourself and pray a lot to God to guide you as you start your own business with the support given by SPBD.”

South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Microfinance Fiji Limited general manager Elrico Munoz said there was an urgent need to open an office for the women of Macuata Province.

“We have an office in Savusavu and it had been difficult to liaise from this office for the women in Macuata,” Mr Munoz said.

“To reduce cost, time and bring service more closely, we decided to open the office at Shreedar Motors building back flat.

“We are assisting 20 women’s group in Macuata which is like more than 400.

“We are aiming to reach out with financial literacy training and assistance to another 60 group of women in Macuata.”

He said every year they select the SPBD businesswoman of the year and this year it would be done in December.

2016 SPBD Business Woman of the Year, Teresia Salote of Nukubalavu Centre in Cakaudrove Province gave a testimony to the gathering as to how she started her canteen business.

“Thanks to SPBD I was able to start my dream business and assist my family,” Ms Salote.

“Today I am a proud business woman and a proud mother.”

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