Fundamental business concepts such as understanding your customers and the benefits which flow from this and preparing to be export ready were in focus at the Path to Market and Investment Profiling workshop in Samoa.
Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand conducted the one-day workshop in Apia, attended by 30 participants from various industries.
Trade Development Manager for PTI Ian Furlong touched on relevant trade components including such as getting ready for export market – the regulations and requirements involved, marketing and developing your company story and value proposition.
Manuel Valdez, Chief Investment Officer for PTI provided an overview of global investment environment to the participants, along with factors influencing investment decisions, ease of doing business snapshot, foreign direct investment trend, opportunities for investment, where to invest and approach to profiling investments.
Using actual business case studies, Manuel was able to highlight people’s personal experiences.
Co-organiser of the workshop Colin Stringer of Samoa Association of Manufacturers and Exporters says combining trade and investment topics at the workshop is effective because participants can benefit and learn more and apply them in their daily businesses.
Managing Director of Samoa Herbs and fellow workshop participant Patrick Rankin says Ian and Manuel’s use of actual business case studies provided some no-nonsense business advice which he can apply to his daily activities.
The PTI team has been busy in the past few months facilitating these workshops around the Pacific and have received positive feedback from participants who find them invaluable.