The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has funded the participation of Acting Senior Cooperative Business Development Officer, Asel Sisilia Lui, in a program at the Department of Cooperative in Japan.

Business Development Services(BDS) are generally provided for the capacity building of Micro, Small and Medium sized enterprises (SMEs) on their business activity and competitiveness.

The program aims to capacitate BDS providers or facilitators by observing the Japanese cases of BDS structure and function of stakeholders, the capacitation of BDS providers, and appropriate BDS provision based on needs of SMEs.

Ms Lui said the training was really relevant to her current profession as a Cooperative Business Development Officer providing Business Development Services, mostly to SME Cooperatives.

“Attending this training has given not only me but as a participant from Vanuatu insights of aspects of Japanese experience/practices on solutions and suggestions regarding the BDS delivery Structure and methods for effective BDS provision where applicable to my Country,” she said.

“SMEs play an important role in the economic development of our country, their role in terms of production, employment creation and contribution to government revenue.

“The value and the role SMEs play in our economy is sometimes underestimated because they are in fact small, but the truth is when combined they have a huge impact on our economy.

“I would like to acknowledge JICA for the opportunity to attend the JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program in collaboration with VIPAM and my department, The Office of the Registrar of Cooperatives and Business Development Services to attend the training.”