Daubulu Aims To Re-Open Canteen
Merelesita Daubulu learned the hard way that money does not translate to automatic success. The Tagaqe Village, Nadroga native was one of the many recipients of the $1000 Micro and Small Business Grant (MSBG). With it, she intended to start a canteen business in the coastal village of Nasavu, Deuba. Her plan never took shape. The bulk of her money was spent on farming equipment for her husband, while a few hundred dollars was kept aside for goods for the canteen. “I did not plan my spending well and my business began to decline,” she said. “Another thing that made it harder was the stiff competition between the other canteen owners here.”
Ms Daubulu is now employed at a village-owned canteen. She received permission to sell her own sweets and recharge cards through the shop.
“It was difficult at first but I realised my mistake and now I plan to save up enough money to revive my initial canteen plan,” the 55-year-old said. “People should learn from my experience and understand how important it is to use the government grant properly.”
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism plans to send out monitoring teams shortly to note the progress of, as well as provide support and training to grant recipients. According to the ministry’s website, the grants aimed to encourage business ventures which would “build a strong and resilient economy that is able to sustain external shocks”.