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After a successful inaugural event in 2009, Asco Motors staged its second annual Kadavu Showcase at Namalata Central School, at Vunisea Kadavu early in November 2010. This year, Asco Motors partnered with traditional partners in Telecom Fiji Limited (TFL), Vodafone, Kasabia’s and Dantu Enterprises. New to the showcase this year are Ministry of Primary Industries, Land Transport Authority, Fiji National University, Safeway Marine, Fiji National Provident Fund, Westpac and the Fiji Development Bank. The showcase also coincided with the Yaubula Kadavu 7’s Tournament. The Fijian term Yaubula translated means wildlife conservation.
The people of Kadavu were able to purchase the wide array of products and services along with some good bargains and specials from the companies. Islanders were treated to a first-hand experience of what these companies have on offer.
Asco Motors Manager Yamaha, Mr Rupeni Matakibau said that, “For us this year’s event was bigger and better. It’s all about taking our products and services to the islands, to the rural areas and interfacing more with our customers. We are grateful to the companies, our partners who supported us for this showcase and also Bligh Water Shipping for providing the MV Westerland. We managed to service close to sixty Yamaha outboard motors on the island during the showcase and we ran out of time.”
The Ministry of Primary Industries also took a 30-member contingent comprising of Extension, Research, Land Resources and Planning Development unit as well as Animal Health and Production Division officials. Permanent Secretary of Agriculture, Colonel Mason Smith said that, “Taking a team from the Department was a great idea because it is the rural and outer islands that are often lagging behind in terms of agricultural development. It was also a chance to showcase to them the various services that we provide at the Department of Agriculture.”
Colonel Smith was impressed with the great turnout adding, “The turnout at the showcase was great and the interest shown by the farmers in the business aspects of farming clearly showed their determination to prove themselves on the island. Our officers tried their best to explain to them the various methods and techniques of turning their farming venture into a business oriented one as well.”
Some of the companies that were part of the trip had a few good things to say.
Kasabia’s Head of Department in Hardware Sales, Mr Ashwin Nair said, “2010 was better than last year, it is todate by far the most successful trip for us commercially. It was a great opportunity to take our products to the people of Kadavu”.
Westpac’s Head of Microfinance Ms Olive Whippy says, “Whatever objectives we had set out to achieve for the trip were achieved, as we managed to identify opportunities on the island and also were able to review viable banking services which Westpac could provide.” Westpac has also managed to identify three agents on the island. “Kadavu is a huge untapped market.” Whippy adds.
Dantu Enterprises Company Director Salote Beranaliva said, “The trip was just fantastic! We sold a lot of our items and I managed to go fishing too!” Kadavu is renowned as a popular fishing spot.
Fiji Rugby Union Development Manager Mr Sale Sorovaki said, “We used the trip to showcase the Fiji 7’s Team on the island. It turned out positive for them because the boys came out of their comfort zone, and the trip was a team building exercise, the players got to understand each other better and for the three days, just focusing on rugby. It was also a PR exercise for enabling us, the FRU to take top level rugby out to the islands.” Sorovaki also commented on tournament organisers saying, “It was a well run tournament!”
Asco Motors appreciates the kind sponsorship in the Fiji Sun, Westpac, Dantu Enterprises, Bligh Water Shipping who collectively sponsored the three day Yaubula Kadavu 7’s tournament.