Prominent local businesses expand despite COVID – 19 impacts

Prominent businesses on the island remain optimistic with investments into expanding their businesses despite COVID – 19 impacts.

Since the border closure from March this year, the tourism sector has been the most affected. Majority of businesses on the island are tourism related.   

One of the accommodation business owners is Avi Rubin who has continued operating his businesses despite the border closure and has even expanded with the construction of a brewery facility and new bar behind his sushi restaurant in Alofi.

Rubin who has been living in Niue for over 30 years, believes optimism is needed in business in order to survive.

Niue Vanilla Managing Director Stanley Kalauni and his team have started operating services for Niue Rentals from the newly built premises in Alofi. An investment of more than $400,000.    

The Niue Vanilla businessman started exporting vanilla products into new lucrative markets in Europe last year and plans to venture into coffee farming. 

Kalauni believes the current pandemic has proven that we should not rely to heavily on Tourism and diversify into other lucrative sectors particularly agriculture.

Ali’s Hardware shop has also expanded its building located at Alofi South.