Business envoy November 2021
Over the last year, Pacific businesses have undergone an immense digital transformation as they adapt to a COVID-19 impacted world. In May 2021, Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia announced their collaboration with online visual communication platform Canva, to provide tailored training and access to the Canva Pro platform for 250 Pacific businesses.
The Digital Design PTI Australia X Canva Program is the first of its kind in the Pacific, connecting the simplicity of Canva's design platform to businesses across the Pacific region through PTI Australia's network.
PTI Australia's Marketing and Communications Manager, Matisse Walkden-Brown, said the collaboration aims to equip Pacific businesses with world class tools and technical support.
In the past year, we have seen a swift acceleration into digital trade and promotion in businesses across the Pacific. Our Pacific Business Monitor, a monthly survey that tracks the impact of COVID-19 across the Pacific has highlighted the widening digital gap between those with and without access to critical digital skill sets, resources, and support.
Unlike other design options, Canva provides an easy and cost-effective solution to empower businesses in the Pacific who don't have the resources or funds to access traditional design expertise. I'm excited about the impact our partnership with Canva will have, enabling small and medium sized businesses to compete more effectively on an international stage against international brands.
Matisse Walkden-Brown,
PTI Australia's Marketing and Communications Manager
For Canva, the opportunity to partner with an organisation with a similar mission to create positive outcomes for people in the Pacific was important.
We're thrilled to be collaborating with Pacific Trade Invest Australia to provide small businesses with free access to Canva Pro.
The pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on millions of small businesses around the world. We've seen a huge number of these businesses embracing Canva over the last year to shift their brick-and-mortar operations to an online environment while expanding their marketing and digital presence to keep up with the changing world we're seeing.
Zach Kitschke
Canva's Chief
Marketing Officer
The first cohort of the Digital Design Program includes over 50 participants from 12 countries across the Blue Pacific. Founded in 1979, PTI Australia is an agency of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Funded by the Australian Government, it facilitates trade and investment in the Pacific Islands.
