REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE BOOTH FOR BA CUSTOMERS

The Fiji Development Bank [FDB] will have a rehabilitation assistance booth opposite the Bus Stand at the Gujarati Grounds in Ba town today, to help customers whose farms and businesses were affected by Tropical Cyclone Josie and Keni access relief assistance.

FDB chief executive officer, Mark Clough, said the Rehabilitation Assistance campaign is targetting to residents of Ba after postdisaster assessments revealed that the Bank’s most severely affected customers reside in Ba. “FDB aims to be more helpful to the affected customers by strategically placing an assistance booth in Ba town to allow customers to access the Bank’s rehabilitation assistance while they are in town carrying out their usual Saturday business,” said Mr Clough.

Services Provided

He said the team at the rehabilitation assistance booth will be able to advise customers on-site on the likelihood of their eligibility to qualify for the assistance options which include repayment moratoriums, interest rate concessions and rehabilitation financing to help rebuild affected farms and businesses. “Once we determine the likelihood of a customer’s eligibility, we will co-ordinate site visitations to the affected farms and businesses,” he said. Mr Clough said the Bank will continue to assess each customer’s request on a case by case basis to determine the necessary assistance that may be required.

“Our team from Rakiraki, Lautoka and Ba branches will be in Ba town between 9am and 3pm and I urge affected customers as well as those wanting to start up a new business or are thinking of growing their existing one to have a chat with our experienced relationship and sales officers on how FDB can help them with their financing needs,” said Mr Clough. “FDB has helped thousands of farmers and small and medium enterprises to start their businesses and grow into profitable enterprises for fifty years now. We have tailormade solutions for each of our customers,” he said.

Investments

He said FDB has been committed to driving investments in the Western Division.

“FDB has a strong development mandate to finance entrepreneurs who believe in establishing sustainable and innovative farms and businesses and that in the longterm would help in improving food security, contributing to poverty alleviation, creating employment opportunities, reducing import dependence and generating economic growth for all Fijians,” said Mr Clough.

FDB’s rehabilitation assistance extends to all Fijians who are customers and whose farms and businesses were affected by Tropical Cyclone Keni in the Western and Northern divisions and in Kadavu and those affected by TC Josie in the Western and Northern divisions.