One of the recipients of the first round of Business Link Pacific’s Adaptation Grant says the grant was announced during a much needed time when the company needed to stay afloat in the current business environment in Fiji.
South Pacific Coffee Company (SPCC) owner Michael Dennis said the assistance received gave the company a financial boost and the drive to keep going during a period when they may have closed down.
“We needed assistance, both financially and professionally in our business and we are thankful to BLP as through this grant we were provided with the much needed cash to purchase stock (ripe coffee cherries) directly from villagers and farmers,” he said.
According to Business Link Pacific, the company has been operating in Fiji since 2015 with its “Rise and Shine” motto which reminds the Fijian community to not give up and to keep rising and shining with SPCC.
“SPCC is heavily invested in rehabilitating wild coffee plantations throughout Fiji and further educating and empowering our local coffee farmers on processing our local beans and reaping greater benefits,” said Mr Dennis.
He said the grant enabled them to upgrade their coffee processing facilities and invest back into the villages with education and husbandry of the coffee plants to increase productivity in the future.
According to Mr Dennis the loss of tourism was a big hit to their business, because of the lack of potential market and the decreased spending in the local economy.
“Our business was just starting to grow by gaining market share when the second wave of the pandemic hit this year which caused our overall revenue to decrease by roughly 70 per cent,” said Mr Dennis.
Speaking about applying for the grant, Mr Dennis said the process for applying for the grant was very straightforward and efficient.
“The application process was well laid out with specific questions and criterias to meet. The timeline was adhered to and the communication with BLP was prompt and helpful.”
South Pacific Coffee Company is a Fijian, family-owned business which operates a cafe, process and roasting facility located in Nadi Back Rd.
