Agreement to benefit consumers
CONSUMERS can now purchase spices, herbs, health supplements and fresh produce through Vodafone’s VitiKart platform following the signing of a new partnership between Vodafone and locallyowned spice producer, processor, and manufacturer, Zonah United.
Zonah United now joins more than 80 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on the VitiKart platform where they will be able to sell their locally produced spices and herbs.
“What we do is, we support rural disadvantaged women across Fiji, trying to train them, empower them and provide employment pathways. I believe that now because it’s the digital era, we need to make it easier for our customers to promote the brand, and promote Fijian products in particular,” Zonah United chief executive officer (CEO) Naheeda Maqbool said.
“I think Fiji has got a great potential and seeing that, I think collaborating with Vodafone will be the best way to make it easier for our customers. This is where it all began, and this is just the start. We’re planning to take VitiKart into exports as well, pretty soon, and talks have been happening between Vodafone and us and we’ll see if that happens by next year or so.”
Vodafone Head of Brands, Marketing and Digital (VitiKart), Saileshni Chand has welcomed this opportunity to promote local produce through their online marketplace.
“Zonah United has been doing some good community work, and at the same time, in terms of doing the community work, in terms of promoting women in the villages, in the community to actually help them promote their produce like ginger, turmeric,” she said.
“Hence, we are really happy with this partnership. We’re going to grow this partnership stronger as well just so that they benefit, as well as we benefit as an organisation, and it goes and drills into the community level as well because these proceeds actually will go to them.”
Ms Chand is calling on other MSMEs to take advantage of the opportunity provided through VitiKart, especially fees have been waived for MSMEs and they don’t have to pay any monthly subscriptions when using VitiKart.