The 2024 Entrepreneurial Fair hosted by the Careers Office and the Alumni Office at The University of the South Pacific (USP) last week has become the cornerstone for fostering innovation and entrepreneurial spirit within the region’s business sector.
Held at the USP Laucala Campus’ Japan ICT Lecture Theatre from April 24th to April 26th, the fair served as a platform for students and the public of Fiji and the region to connect with industry leaders, learn from successful business owners, develop business ideas and gain knowledge and inspiration.
With the theme “Innovate to Elevate: A Symphony of Entrepreneurial Brilliance”, the fair is also a platform for a call to action for Pacific people to push boundaries, embrace creativity and collaborate to elevate the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Pacific.
USP Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President Education Professor Jito Vanualailai in his address said that such an event will allow people to turn their ideas into reality.
The three-day Fair was packed with interesting speakers from different organisations and companies who shared their experience developing, running and maintaining a successful business.
After the event was officially opened by Mr. Sanjesh Kumar, the Co-Founder of ACTON, various entrepreneurs shared their experiences and journey in establishing and successfully navigating the business and Micro, Medium and Small Enterprise (MSME) sector in Fiji and the region.
He said as entrepreneurs, “You must take risks, you must be equally prepared for the downfalls and as you are for the successes. Care for your people: your neighbors, your communities and your country. Bring them up, do something for them. Pursue a cause bigger than yourself, because only then can you truly make a difference and elevate”.
Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS), the tax office in Fiji, also participated in the Fair as it plays a crucial role in ensuring proper compliance with policies and oversees the Tax Regulatory Requirements for Businesses.
One of the leading telecommunications service providers, Vodafone Fiji, shared the importance of small businesses exploring services that will ensure ease of doing business and improve service delivery through online payment methods, amongst other services.
While the Fair aims to help people nurture and develop their business ideas, they must learn financial literacy, a critical component to managing and running a successful business. Westpac Bank representative Maryangela Henry conducted a financial literacy session on the second day of the event to educate aspiring entrepreneurs about proper financial management.
The Fair provided an opportunity for students and the public to learn the need to protect their idea(s), products and or services under copyrights, intellectual property, patents and other laws. This session was conducted by John Apted, Partner Munro Leys.
This annual event has been critical to shaping the business sector of the Pacific and has helped people realise their business dreams and establish their own businesses in Fiji and the Pacific.
