The Small Business Enterprise Centre (S.B.E.C) celebrated its 20th birthday at Letava on Friday night.
The gathering was attended by members of the organisation, the business community, friends and its partners.
Acting Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, congratulated the organisation.
“The government of Samoa’s mission in setting up S.B.E.C. back in 1994 was to undertake, promote and advance the development of small businesses in Samoa and to provide training for customers to enhance skills and knowledge of business management,” Fonotoe said.
“This mission was taken up by the government of New Zealand who had established and staffed S.B.E.C. from 1994 to now.”
As such, Fonotoe acknowledged New Zealand in supporting S.B.E.C.
“Your commitment is a sign of true leadership between our governments and believing that this organisation can make a contribution to Samoa’s economic prosperity.”
“The government is committed to building and strengthening the private sector as the engine of growth and it is vital that we start right from grassroots to small and micro enterprises to our commercial sectors, thus making the role of S.B.E.C. an important one in implementing this government’s strategy.”
Fonotoe said that in 2002, the government saw the increased demand for the ‘guarantee scheme’ to facilitate access to finance for small businesses and borrowed monies from the Asian Development Bank (A.D.B) to cater for this high demand.
“I am pleased to note the scheme continues to provide financing for many small enterprises and have also benefited many families and communities,” he said.
“The success of S.B.E.C. over the past 20 years is clear evidence that we can all work together – malo lava!”
Fonotoe also reminded the audience that many challenges faced by businesses due to economic and natural calamities that are beyond our control.
“My challenge to S.B.E.C. is to continue to lift the standards of small businesses in Samoa – to combat challenges brought about globalization, climate change and competitive markets.”
New Zealand’s High Commissioner, Jackie Frizelle, said New Zealand is delighted to work with S.B.E.C.
“I know we are not meant to pick favourites but S.B.E.C. has deservedly earned a special place in our heart and history,” she said.
S.B.E.C.’s ability to workwith people with great ideas to turn them into sustainable businesses was highlighted as one of the organisation’s achievements.
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“S.B.E.C. is all about lasting Partnerships – with New Zealand, the Samoan government, with the banks and with the clients.”
“For New Zealand, we are pleased to have been there from the start. The achievement and good health of the organisation today is a tribute to not one but many.”
Ms.Frizelle also praised the S.B.E.C. team, ably led by Peseta Margaret Malua, describing them as “the driving force” behind the organisation.
In response, S.B.E.C.s Chairperson, Fiona Ey, acknowledged everyone who has played a role in the organisation’s success.
“We first started in 1994 with the signing of a Deed of Trust forming the S.B.E.C. Board of Trustees – Peter Heenana New Zealand High Commission, Tuala Farani Chan Tung – Director for the then Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry (now M.C.I.L.), Mr Simon Millet – Pacific Commercial Bank (now Westpac), Eleitino Michelle Meredith (Women in Business), Tuala Falenaoti Tiresa Malietoa (Small Business Association), Fuimaono Lima (DBS), Arthur Penn (Samoa Society of Accountants), Paul Rolton (BWS now ANZ), Luagalau Foisaga Eteuati Shon (Secretary for Women’s Affairs),” she said.
“S.B.E.C. continues to grow and it is our mission to commercialise and formalise small micro businesses so that the Samoan economy can thrive over the next 20 years.”
ACHIEVEMENT AFTER 20 YEARS
• Trained more than 10,000 people/trainees from businesses, organisations and communities in Samoa through its training programs, plus training of Pacific neighbours such as Tokelau.
• Provide 1,200 business advisory services on an annual basis
• Facilitated access to finance to more that 1,500 small businesses. Helped S.B.E.C clients secured more than $20m tala in bank loans.
• Worked with partners from private sector, government, international organisations, NGOs and communities in Samoa, the region and internationally.
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