Business Link Pacific Overview

How Business Link Pacific works – delivering change through market systems Business Link Pacific works with business advisory service providers to deliver better quality and more affordable services to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with between 5 and 50 employees.

By working on both supply and demand, Business Link Pacific is fuelling the engine of an effective market system. Business Link Pacific helps service providers to supply business advisory services that offer SMEs practical and affordable solutions. SMEs use these services and benefit by improving their business operations and profitability. Service providers also benefit as the demand for business advisory services increases from an expanding SME sector.

Business Link Pacific’s services and support are currently available in Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea. Working through local delivery partners in each country, it provides access to local and international business experts, technical specialists and mentors.

Diagnostic and Referral Service | Through local partners, Business Link Pacific operates a diagnostic and referral service for SMEs that considers business needs and identifies the best local service providers. Businesses are able to access quality local business advisory services and service providers can be connected to new clients.

Subsidy Scheme | A conditional Subsidy Scheme enables eligible SMEs to try out new services at more affordable rates and

realise the value of these services in their business operations to drive efficiency, growth and expansion. The Subsidy Scheme also helps service providers to develop and launch new services tailored specifically to SME needs.

Quality Assurance System | Business Link Pacific manages a quality assurance system that ensures SMEs receive an

excellent service. Business advisory service providers are assessed regularly and skills development, technical assistance and mentoring are available through Business Link Pacific for both service providers and eligible SMEs. SMEs are the engine room of economic growth in the Pacific. High quality, affordable business advisory services enable SMEs to grow, improve efficiency, access new markets, and increase turnover and profitability. Business growth means new jobs and more local employment opportunities.

Subsidy Scheme: Buys down risk for SMEs to try out new services and for service providers to offer new business services and engage new clients.

Businesses in the Pacific access quality, affordable and appropriate business advisory services.

Affordable Services

SMEs

Service Providers offer quality, affordable and appropriate business advisory services to SMEs and grow.

Service Providers

Business Growth

Appropriate Services

Quality Services

Economic growth: SMEs increase turnover and profitability.

Increased employment is achieved.

Business needs are assessed and matched with the right service providers: Online database, BAS-Net diagnostic and referral service.

Quality Assurance: Capacity support, mentoring and skills development is provided to service providers through a competency framework to ensure quality of service provision to SMEs.

Business Link Pacific Services Business Link Pacific works with service providers in all segments of the services industry including: Business and strategic planning

Information technology systems

Accounting and financial management

Organisational management

Financial services, loans and investment facilitation

Match-Making Service

Market research and segmentation Standards and certification

Subsidy Scheme

Quality Standard

Advertising, marketing, e-commerce Recruitment and human resources Export promotion and market linkages

Mentoring, Technical Advice and Support

How to Participate Are you a business advisory service provider in the Pacific? Do you want to expand your services or trial new services with new or existing clients?

Are you an SME operating in the Pacific? Would accessing any of these services be of value to your business?

If the answer is YES to any of the questions above, we want to hear from you.

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Level 6, 139 Quay Street, PO Box 2364 Shortland Street, Auckland 1140, New Zealand +64 21 209 3578 | +64 22 559 9647 info@businesslinkpacific.com www.businesslinkpacific.com

A joint New Zealand Aid Programme / AECOM development initiative.

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand Government.