17 December 2025: Five Niuean businesses have successfully completed a tailored coaching and grants initiative under the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s (PIFS) E-Biz Plus program. 

Each participating micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) received up to AUD 8,500 in grant funding and a total of 28 hours of dedicated coaching, enabling them to enhance their digital skills, improve online sales strategies, and strengthen their overall e-commerce readiness.

PIFS Deputy Secretary General – Governance, Desna Solofa, said, “Small businesses are at the heart of our Blue Pacific economy. With the coaching and grants support, we are proud to support and empower these entrepreneurs as they strengthen their digital capabilities, expand production, and enter new markets, contributing directly to the ambitions of our 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.”

Early results from the program show progress across the participating MSMEs. Notable achievements include:

1. Ebony Carvings has upgraded its workshop tools and strengthened its online presence through improved Google and Facebook profiles.
2. Mrs Sena’s Legacy has enhanced her digital marketing, increased Facebook engagement, and improved logistics to better facilitate online sales.
3. Niue Island Organic Farmers Association (NIOFA) is developing a new website and advancing content creation to promote Niue’s organic growers and their products.
4. NIUE Vanilla International, which already sells its products online to New Zealand, has refined its strategy to expand to the Australian market and is now developing a website to support that expansion.
5. BOHNZ InfoTech has introduced a new IT-equipment rental service and established its physical retail space through the purchase of projectors, speakers, microphones, and display shelves.

The NIUE Vanilla International team shared how the program has directly supported their ambitions to expand into larger export markets:

“With the support of the grant and coaching, we are excited to build a mirror e-commerce website tailored for larger markets, including Australia. We are also enhancing our skills in creative content development, marketing, promotion and branding. This initiative will increase visibility, provide easier access for international customers, and strengthen the presence of Niue’s premium vanilla products in targeted international markets.” 

For Bohnz InfoTech, the program played a key role in establishing its first physical retail space to complement its growing online services. Founder Tom Jr. Misikea highlighted the transformative impact: 

“This support transforms vision into reality. We’re excited to officially launch Bohnz InfoTech, offering reliable electronics and IT services to our community through both a retail presence and digital platforms.”

The program builds on an earlier phase implemented in Niue in 2024, which included the development of PIFS Business E-commerce Toolkits and a one-and-a-half-day training workshop on doing business online for the private sector. The PIFS E-Biz Plus program directly contributes to the implementation of the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap by helping businesses transition online through improved digital skills and small capital support. It is available to Forum Member Countries upon request.

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