In this episode, we focus on the work of our in-country partners in Fiji. Since 2018, our partnership has contributed to the development of the local market for business advisory services and supported thousands of Fijian businesses. Here are some highlights of the partnership: 

• Facilitated access to local business advisory services worth 2.35M NZD, 50% directly invested by the private sector. Services have supported nearly 500 Fijian businesses to improve their operations and resilience and have contributed to creating more than 400 new jobs, 50% occupied by women. 
• Enabled 250 business adaptation grants worth 1.5M NZD that have helped SMEs in Fiji adapt to the new post-COVID environment, safeguard jobs and create new products and services.  
• Supported over 1,000 businesses through face-to-face business diagnostics, online health checks and continuity planning to improve their planning and identify gaps and opportunities. 

In this episode, we talk with Ramesh Chan, former BLP's Business Service Manager in Fiji, about the variety of services offered locally by BLP's business advisors and the importance of their professional services for the future recovery of the SME sector. 

Ramesh worked with the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation during the first years of BLP in the country and currently leads the work of Business Assistance Fiji (BAF), BLP's new in-country partner.  

BAF was brought together by the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), Fiji Institute of Accountants (FIA) and Women in Business (WIB) to address the needs of the private sector after the pandemic. 

We also talked to Marina Cherry, owner of Sweet Endings in Fiji and adaptation grant recipient. Marina talks about the struggles of running a business and the importance of innovation and adaptation.

 Finally, we consider the many strengths and opportunities of the market of business advisory services in Fiji and its role in supporting a brighter economic future for the region.