Businesses in the Cook Islands say a new mentoring programme from New Zealand has boosted confidence
The Cook Islands is first nation to try out the Pacific Islands Business Mentoring Programme, which is supported by NZAID.
The Cook Islands coordinator for the programme Teresa Manaarangi Trott, says five volunteers from Business Mentors New Zealand visited 20 businesses, trained local business mentors, and held a marketing workshop open to the public.
"Just the general discussion we've had with businesses that are being mentored there's some positive things and responses coming back from all of them. We haven't received any responses that seem to be negative but all of them see the advantages of doing this and very appreciative at being selected as one of the participating businesses."
She says businesses mentored ranged from tourism to agricultural type ventures based in Rarotonga.
