The iTaukei Affairs Board have launched a new unit called the Commercial Unit; focused mainly on small business advisory, says deputy chief executive officer, Apakuki Kurusiga.

This unit, according to Mr Kurusiga, will not be undertaken solely by the board, but with other agencies.

Mr Kurusiga said they invited other agencies because they had the capacity and capability with them, and they had some Government programmes which they could utilise.

Moreover, they had started with a pilot project which was a dairy farm in Dakuinuku in Wainibuka, Tailevu.

He added that it was encouraging to note the people were enthusiastic with it, and were interested in getting things done.

He said the assistant provincial treasurers have gone through a workshop with Westpac and signed an MOU with Westpac in regards to Microfinancing.

“They are now also going through the training the trainers programme with the Fiji National University,” he said.

“So, we are giving them an opportunity to present, talk and use their imagination on things they can come up with in regards to business.”

When asked about visiting villages, he said: “Our laws and our regulations drive us to go to the village.”

This commercial unit targeted the villages, he said.

“One function of the village council is the improvement of economic life in the villages.”

He said they would be conducting more awareness programmes and workshops to villages.

The awareness and workshops would not be conducted for businessmen or businesswomen only, they would train the whole family, so that they could support whatever business they undertook.

“We are getting there, but it has to be a slow start, that is how we progress with a firm base.”

He said what they had to do now was to be professional in their undertaking and committed to whatever small business they do so that they could contribute into the nation’s economic well-being.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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