Twelve new job opportunities have emerged in Korovou Town with the inauguration of a new mini mart and kava bar, a development hailed as a bold vote of confidence in a community facing a steady population decline. The business, operated by Commercial Amusement Kava, is owned by Managing Director Nausheem Ali, who recognized that investing in Korovou was fraught with considerable challenges and risks.
“Establishing a mini mart and a kava bar in Korovou town presented significant hurdles. This was a risk we decided to take as investors,” Ali noted, reflecting on the challenges despite some initial positive outcomes. Korovou, once a bustling service hub for nearby communities, has seen diminished economic activity in recent years, as many residents have moved closer to Suva and Nausori in search of job opportunities. This trend has made it difficult for new investors, marking Ali’s choice as particularly noteworthy.
Drawing from his experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he opened his first outlet at Fatties Shop in Laucala Bay amidst pervasive uncertainty, Ali expressed his belief in Korovou’s potential. “Despite initial doubts regarding customer flow, I chose to move forward, and it ultimately paid off with the opening of a second branch in Nabua,” he explained.
The investment in the Korovou venture amounts to around $100,000, which includes stock and setup costs. Although the initial response has been lukewarm, Ali remains optimistic that the business will flourish in time. “As time progresses, we believe it will pick up. We have faith in the people of Korovou,” he stated.
In his commitment to the local community, Ali prioritized hiring unemployed residents from Korovou and surrounding areas to combat the high costs associated with commuting to Suva or Nausori for work. “People here feel the hardship of traveling to find jobs. Transportation is costly, which is precisely why we initiated this venture,” he remarked.
District Officer Korovou, Eliki Dakuitoga, expressed gratitude for the investment, citing the economic and social benefits it will bring to the town. “This is a blessing for Korovou,” Dakuitoga acknowledged. A tanoa serves as a communal space where the community unites, and this new development is seen as a means to restore confidence in Korovou Town while encouraging further investments in the region.
Community leaders share in the hope that the creation of these twelve new jobs and the establishment of this business will reinvigorate the local economy and inspire additional growth in Korovou Town. With such initiatives, there is a sense of optimism for the future, suggesting that progress and renewal may be on the horizon for this resilient community.