WEBC celebrates growth

THE Women Entrepreneurs Business Council (WEBC), one the nine councils under the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, has achieved a lot since its inception, including its annual Women Invigorating the Nation (WIN) convention that was established in 2022.

Speaking yesterday at the opening of the two-day WIN 2024 Convention, WEBC and convention committee chairwoman Sharyne Fong revealed some of the achievements that both the council and the convention have been able to achieve.

“From 30 members in 2013 to 180 members in 2024, close to 500 women across Fiji graduated under the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), a US Embassy-funded program over the past four years, many of whom, at least 80 per cent, had businesses operating informally and are now formalised,” Ms Fong said.

“Through our partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, six members participated at the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association Exhibition – HOTEC that was held at the Sheraton Resort in October 2022.

“The exhibition provided a platform for these ladies to exhibit their niche products to hoteliers; of which three managed to secure deals with hoteliers.

“At the moment, we have an UN-ESCAP funded care catalyst four-month childcare/daycare program with 15 women who are interested in establishing their childcare/daycare businesses.”

Ms Fong said attendance for this year’s convention also reached a new height with 220 attendees when the target was 200.

“We went from hosting a oneday convention in 2022 to twodays last year and have done so again this year.

“From the 2022 convention we visited the theme ‘Pivoting to Prosperity’ with 170 delegates we have weaved the outcomes into our strategic plan under the four pillars of people, process, partners and purse. Each of these pillars has a champion overseeing the implementation of initiatives.

Ms Fong also acknowleged the partners and sponsors, speakers and moderators, volunteers, the media and the delegates.