Small and medium-sized businesses in the Pacific including Samoa will benefit if they are eligible for adaptation grants through the Business Link Pacific (B.L.P.) programme.

The B.L.P. is a private sector development programme that connects businesses in the Pacific Islands to local, quality advisory service experts. 

According to a statement issued by B.L.P., in partnership with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (M.F.A.T.) and the Australian government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade the B.L.P. has launched the second round of adaptation grants for small and medium-sized businesses throughout the Pacific. 

The adaptation grants will be available to eligible businesses in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and for the first time in Vanuatu. 

An investment of NZ$3.3 million by both the New Zealand and Australian governments to the Business Adaptation Grants is another example of how the two nations are working together with Pacific Islands states to contribute to a stable and prosperous region.

The Director of Business Link Pacific, Steve Knapp said that, “we understand small and medium-sized businesses throughout the Pacific are still hurting financially from the impacts of COVID-19.”

“This second window of grants will help affected businesses with funding to support new products and services, as well as projects to adapt to the changing environment."

Business Link Pacific’s recent survey on access to S.M.E. finance and the impact of COVID-19 continues to show a deeply impacted sector: 84 per cent of respondents said they have seen a decrease in their business profitability with 54.4 per cent having reached out for financial assistance provided by banks or other financial institutions.

The adaptation grants applications are now open until 27 July, 2021. Since B.L.P. was established in 2017, it has assisted over 2,500 small-medium sized businesses with online business health checks, continuity plans and in-depth diagnostics. 

Additionally, it has facilitated 765 business advisory services subsidies, and contributed to the creation of an estimated 890 new jobs; 49 per cent which are filled by women. 

The B.L.P. is a private sector development programme funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and aimed at supporting the economic growth of Pacific Island countries. 

The Business Link Pacific team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and is currently supported by in[1]country partners in Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands.