Promoting Samoan businesses and entrepreneurship

12 June 2017, 12:00AM

The Samoan branch of the Samoa Business Network (SBN) held a networking function at Te Namo Bar, Matautu, earlier this week to host New Zealand Samoa Trade and Investment Commission (NZSTIC) Business Mission delegates and SBN New Zealand members, visiting Samoa. 

In country to look at opportunities for developing trade and business between New Zealand and Samoa, the NZSTIC Business Mission was led by Tofaeono Fonoti Dr Lafitai Fuatai, Samoa Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, and Frank Po Ching, Chair of NZSTIC and Managing Director of 3 Seven Group, with support from the Samoa Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Samoa Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), and SBN.  

This is the second NZSTIC Business Mission to Samoa and delegates included potential and current business investors, and New Zealand-based training providers.  SBN New Zealand members who were part of this delegation were Navigator Consulting Ltd. and Sewtech Training Institution. 

Both members had a series of fruitful meetings during the week with government departments, NGOs and private sector businesses.  Potential business opportunities include offering business consultancy services in Samoa and delivering sewing and design training in Samoa. 

“We are delighted to have members of the NZSTIC Business Mission delegation here with us tonight, particularly as we have just formalised the partnership between SBN and NZSTIC,” said Afamasaga Jackie Curry, Chair of SBN Samoa, at the function on Tuesday night.

“It is also great to see representatives from the New Zealand High Commission and the Samoa Chamber of Commerce & Industry this evening, and I’d like to thank them – along with Samoa MFAT – for their instrumental role in making this Business Mission such a success.” 

“SBN is passionate about Samoan businesses reaching their full potential and by reaffirming our alignment with NZSTIC, we are better positioned to continue connecting, sharing and promoting Samoan businesses and entrepreneurs here in Samoa, New Zealand and around the world,” Afamasaga said. 

Guest speaker at the event, Associate Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, couldn’t have agreed more. 

During his presentation, Lealailepule encouraged both NZSTIC delegates and SBN members alike to work together and focus on developing Samoan businesses at all levels, and in particular, by supporting small to medium-scale, Samoan-owned operations with potential for growth. 

In his closing remarks, Frank Po Ching reiterated this, saying working collaboratively to build business opportunities is key in a market like Samoa. 

The opening prayer and blessing was delivered by Tofaeono Fonoti Dr Lafitai Fuatai, and the event was emceed by local businessman and SBN Samoa Executive Committee member, Etu Tuistala of E-Life Company.

The SBN Samoa Executive Committee would like to thank event sponsors Te Namo Bar, Krush and The Wine Portfolio (one of the NZSTIC delegation companies), as well as ongoing SBN sponsors Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, Liquor Planet, Taula Beverages and Eveni Carruthers.

For more information about SBN in Samoa, and how you could grow your business connections, contact [email protected], visit the Facebook page or website at www.samoabusinessnetwork.org, or call Afamasaga Jackie Curry at +685 751 1773, direct.

12 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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