“The Only Pacific Island Participating in the SBEC Trade Fair”

5 July 2017
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EDNRE staff and visitors of the prominent Tokelau stall at SBEC, Apia.
Tokelau was the only Pacific Island nation among 100 small businesses from Samoa to participate in the recent Trade Fair organmised by the Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC).

This Trade Fair was held in front of the Government Building at the Eleele Fou in Apia, Samoa, on 28 and 29 June 2017. Many small businesses from different sectors attended this Trade Fair. Both the Chairlady of the SBEC Board, and the New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa and Administrator of Tokelau HE David Nicholson, delivered opening remarks.

The ribbon was cut by Hon. Minister of Public Enterprises for Samoa, Afioga Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell, to indicate official Government support to this SBEC Trade Fair.
 
The Tokelau Stall had a variety of high-quality Tokelauan handicrafts on display and sold hats, fans, canoes, bags, fruits bowls, placemats and raw materials for weaving Tokelau handicrafts.

Both the Administrator, HE David Nicholson, and the UNDP Resident Representative, Lizbeth Cullity visited and spent time at the Tokelau Stall.
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(from right:) NZ High Commissioner to Samoa and Administrator of Tokelaau HE David Nicholson, Filipo Vanikai Filipo (Inshore Fisheries Officer), UNDP Resident Representative Lizbeth Cullity , Peteleema Eti Tefoepua (Manager of Economic Developmen Division)  Photo courtesy the Samoan Observer

 
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Hon. Minister of Public Enterprises for Samoa Afioga Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell operning the Trade Fair.
Most customers agreed with the prices, based on the high quality and preparations for each handicraft.
 
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Pulenuku Hon Mose Pelasio and his Good Wife Suia Pelasio
They also supported the idea of developing online marketing, to meet a high demand for Tokelau Handicrafts from overseas.

We were fortunate to have the Hon Ulu o Tokelau Aliki Faipule Siopili Perez and Hon Pulenuku Mose Pelasio with their good wives to stop by and show their support for this initiative.

There were also demonstrations of how to weave a unique Tokelauan fan by Mrs Fei Taumanu and Siniva Toloa, explaining every single step of weaving the unique Tokelauan handicraft.

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Ulu o Tokelau Aliki Faipule Siopili Perez and First Lady Taase Perez

Left: Mrs Fei Taumanu (left) and Mrs. Siniva Toloa demonstrating Tokelau weaving

The EDNRE Department worked hard to make this activity successful and promote the UNIQUE TOKELAUAN HANDICRAFTS . The department appreciated the opportunity to work with the SBEC at the Trade Fair, and will do so in the future.

Story by Peteleema Eti Tefoepua
Phone: 7272842
Email: enetamahine@gmail.com