#Abaiang | A team of four staff members has returned from Abaiang following a productive two-week outreach from 15 February to 1 March 2026. The team consisted of three officers from the Training and Information Unit (TIU) of the Coastal Fisheries Division (CFD) and one representative from the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives(MTCIC), who was invited to provide expertise in business development.

The primary objective was to establish a community-based enterprise focused on producing value-added marine products—including tuna jerky, fish samosa, seaweed jam, and seaweed ice cream—to create sustainable income opportunities for local residents. Following consultations with the Abaiang Island Council, Tuarabu village was selected as the partner community.

Community members received comprehensive training in both product processing and fundamental business operations. As a result, they successfully registered their business as Tobwaan Tenanai Boboti/CS, with the team covering the 2026 business licence fee. The enterprise is now operational and prepared to scale up once additional materials arrive. A follow-up assessment is scheduled in three to six months. Sincere gratitude is extended to the Tuarabu community, the Abaiang Council, and funding partner PROP for making this initiative possible.