A Solomon Islands business which has helped improve the lives of many communities by supplying them with the tools to extract virgin coconut oil is now downstreaming to create even more local jobs.
Kokonut Pacific says its DME system, which consists of a press kit, grater kit, dryer and ancillaries allows villagers to make the most of their valuable coconut resources.
It says this is done right in the village within one hour of opening a coconut.
Staff from Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands were in New Zealand over the weekend at Auckland's Pasifika festival showcasing their new value added products which included locally made soaps, hand creams and even coconut insect repellant.
Koroi Hawkins caught up with the team and spoke with Kokonut Pacific company director Ewan Blair.
Photo: 123rf
Transcript
EWAN BLAIR: Well basically Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands makes or facilitates the people within the villages of the Solomon Islands making coconut oil. Which is then bulked up in Honiara and is then shipped right around the world from the UK to Canada to Germany and into Australia but of course also sold domestically into the Solomon Islands.
KOROI HAWKINS: I can see quite a range here I am looking at like an insect repellent a coconut insect repellent.
EB: Yes what we have also done of course is we are trying to create employment or the company is trying to create employment. So we are doing a lot of value added work now, where the ladies who are here with us today they are manufacturing soaps and insect repellents as you said and then massaging oils and all sorts of things that are in the coconut oil baseline.
KH: Is it their first time here at Pasifika?
EB: It is and I know for myself and we are only just opening now. But it is just a fantastic concept of all the different villages around the lakes. I just, I can't wait to get some time away from the stand to actually go and have a look at everybody else's what is going on because it is just an amazing concept. I have never seen anything like it.
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