Kiribati has taken a momentous step towards empowering its entrepreneurs to drive economic activity within the country. In collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), a group of trainers participated in a comprehensive workshop on the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) methodology, with the goal of reducing rural poverty and unemployment.
The eight-day Training of Trainers workshop, held at the Marine Training Centre in Tarawa, saw the active participation of 18 individuals. The workshop focused on equipping the participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to commence and sustain a business, covering areas such as business planning, marketing strategies, financial planning, and sustainability. Through interactive learning sessions, the trainers effectively applied their knowledge to real-world scenarios, fostering a deeper understanding of entrepreneurial concepts.
During the opening session, Honourable Ms. Koaa, the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives (MTCIC), underscored the government’s commitment to addressing issues of unemployment and poverty in rural areas. She emphasized the importance of the SIYB training in enhancing the capacity of MTCIC to deliver sustainable and quality business training programs, particularly targeting grassroots communities.
Christian Viegelahn, Specialist for Decent Work and Employment of the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries, highlighted the human aspect of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of guiding, inspiring, and instilling confidence in individuals striving to shape their destinies through entrepreneurial ventures.
Recognizing Kiribati’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, the workshop also included components on Greening Your Business (GYB) and Digitalize Your Business (DYB), aimed at promoting green practices and leveraging digital technologies to enhance business resilience.
The workshop engaged a diverse group of stakeholders, including the Kiribati Chamber of Commerce, Central Pacific Producer Limited, Tourism Authority of Kiribati, and various government departments, underlining the collaborative effort to bolster the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country.
The SIYB programme, facilitated by the ILO, aims to support entrepreneurs in establishing and expanding their businesses, with a strategic focus on creating more and better employment opportunities. The programme also works towards strengthening the capabilities of business development support providers, financial service providers, and relevant government departments engaged in entrepreneurship training for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across various sectors in the country.
The SIYB+DYB+GYB Training of Trainers workshop was organized by the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries, in collaboration with the Government of Kiribati, and funded by the SDG fund through the Joint UN Programme.
The efforts to empower entrepreneurs in Kiribati are crucial in driving economic growth, creating job opportunities, and fostering sustainable livelihoods, particularly in rural areas. The commitment of the government, in partnership with international organizations, reflects a significant stride towards fostering an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and economic development in the country.
For further information, individuals can reach out to Sonja Aholelei at the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries via email at [email protected].