THE longevity of a business depends on how efficient its plan is prior to starting.
For Toge villager Salote Waqali, the recently-launched village strategy and business plan provided this solid foundation.
The villagers participated in a workshop and were awarded certificates and a copy of the launch documents by Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Culture and Heritage Ifereimi Vasu on February 14.
“Us iTaukei have meetings about businesses, and we subdivide the profits for the business and what is to be used for the vanua,” Ms Waqali said.
“We are grateful for the awareness of the importance of having a plan before starting up a business, especially to fund our education, our general welfare.”
Ms Waqali said the workshop was timely considering her future plans to start a small business to sell cooked food.
“The previous workshop taught us about the importance of planning, to establish the channels that the money will flow through.”
While launching the documents, Mr Vasu said: “Let’s not only love each other now, at times when the profits come, it starts to affect us. I request that we continue to love each other. Let’s listen to each other.”
iTaukei Trust Fund Board CEO Aisake Taito said planning was a vital component of a business venture.
“One thing missing is our planning. If we don’t plan, a lot of things we do will be in chaos. That is why the Government, through the minister, has suggested that the plans be implemented for iTaukei,” Mr Taito said.
“For those of you here in Toge Village, you have taken the lead to put your plan together because you were part of the resource owner’s forum.”
Mr Taito stressed the importance of adhering to one vision, financial growth and working transparently.
NOTE: This article was first published in the print edition of the Fiji Times dated FEBRUARY 26, 2025
