Despite the critical role of small businesses in economic development, the sector is generally neglected.

That is the sentiment of Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama as he officially opened the "Regional conference on small business Development and Entrepreneurship in the south Pacific Island countries" at USP this morning.

Commodore Bainimarama said there is lack of statistics to properly fully understand the effects of small business in the development process.

He said that a small business with a low turnover is usually seen as not significant to warrant attention and resources. However, collectively small businesses contribute significantly to the economy.

Commodore Bainimarama said strategies need to be developed to ensure a sustained and coherent targeted approach by the primary sector with government to partner with small businesses.

Development researchers, academics, policy analysts, international and regional institutions and operators of small businesses are currently gathered at USP to collaborate the significant contribution of small business towards economic prosperity of the island states in the Pacific.

   
Story by: Sofaia Koroitanoa