Awareness program for women entrepreneurs
A MONTH-LONG awareness and educational programme for women entrepreneurs has been launched by the Fiji Development Bank (FDB) in partnership with the New Zealand Government.
Scheduled to take place throughout this month, the programme will highlight and promote FDB’s “Loan for Women Entrepreneurs” product.
“In August 2022, FDB sought to boost the number of women engaged in businesses to further develop the Fijian economy, and to increase [the number of] women entrepreneurs within FDB’s portfolio, this loan product was conceptualised,” FDB said in a statement.
“This loan product was specifically designed for women entrepreneurs with registered MSME (micro, small and medium sized businesses) in operation for three months or more who required working capital or needed to expand their existing business.
“Positive results of this proactive outreach were quick to the uptake, and as of November last year, FDB had approved more than 1000 loans dedicated to supporting women-owned business ventures.”
FDB’s chief executive officer Saud Minam said the bank is keen to support women entrepreneurs with easier access to financial solutions needed in order to launch and operate their businesses and to provide them education through digital financial literacy programs.
“One of the bank’s core values is ‘development’ where we continually focus on the economic development of our country,” Mr Minam said.
“Frankly, this is why we exist and is embedded in our name.
“Our commitment lies in fostering Fiji’s growth and ensuring that success touches every member of our community.”
He said with New Zealand’s support, FDB will be able to continually build on both Fijian women’s empowerment and fostering entrepreneurship avenues.
New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Charlotte Darlow said supporting women entrepreneurship in Fiji “has substantial positive effects on livelihoods, economic development, and social empowerment at both the community and national levels”.
“We are delighted to be partnering with the Fiji Development Bank on this important initiative,” Ms Darlow said.