MARKET vendor Inoke Qoro of Vitogo, Lautoka, has been able to grow his business with the help of a financial literacy workshop organised by the United Nations Development Programme.

Mr Qoro said he started his business on a smaller scale with just one block at Lautoka’s Municipal Market.

“Now I have seven blocks,” he said.

He said the training he received during the UNDP-run workshops had given him a sound business knowledge.

“When I started I did not put the money I earned in a bank account.

“I just kept it and used it to buy things for our family but during the workshop I learned that I was not saving money by doing that.

“So I opened an account and started to divide my money for expenses, for my business and another for savings.”

UNDP project co-ordinator Cema Bolabola said the program had brought some positive changes for vendors.

“We always remind them that a market vendor is a business person,” Ms Bolabola said.

“They have to have a mind-set of a business person because that’s how they are able to make their money.

“We’ve also taught them the aspects of customer services and how to make their stalls presentable in order to attract more customers to their stalls.”

About 60 vendors began the training in August last year.

A new round of training with Westpac Bank will begin in June.