Life has been difficult for Small and Medium Entrepreneurs in Levuka who have been feeling the effects of COVID-19 after a year of its intrusion into our shores.

Businesses have just been trying to stay afloat after shutting their businesses numerous times last year due to the lack of cash flow to run the day-to-day expenses.

Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation in partnership with USAID Climate Ready and Fiji Business Disaster Resilience Council (FBDRC) conducted a training in Levuka today with a few SMEs.

Amongst the few that attended the Business Continuity Plan training was a mother of two who is hoping for a silver lining this year to boost her bean cart business.

Shubashni Lata who started her bean cart business 8 years ago came into this business after realizing that her income as a kitchen hand in a restaurant in 2010 was not enough to help her husband support the family.

After attaining a hooker license from the Levuka Town Council in 2012 she started off her business and was able to earn enough money to put her two daughters through High School.

“Now that both my daughters are going to tertiary it is a bit difficult as after COVID-19 business has not been the same and not many people buy food as there are many other market vendors around compared to before.

“We are renting here in Levuka and my daughters rent in Lautoka due to their studies but we are not planning to shift to Viti Levu anytime soon as Levuka is a cheaper place to live in and there are less expenses here,” said Ms Lata.

When asked, how this workshop would assist her, Ms Lata highlighted that through this workshop she understands that one needs to be well prepared for a disaster in advance and not wait till the last minute to arrange for things.

Another participant of the training Mr Devendra Prasad said this workshop raised questions in his mind on how well prepared is his butcher in case of a natural disaster or a fire.

“This workshop has taught me that disasters can happen and we should be more aware and prepared with solutions before it happens,” said Mr Prasad.