Remarkable achievement for women
THE Fiji Development Bank is intensifying its work towards empowering women entrepreneurs by creating financial products and services to boost that vision.
In a commitment made more than four years ago, FDB chief executive officer Saud Minam challenged himself and his team to commit to changing the development bank's customer base and to come up with products targeted at women entrepreneurs.
The public development bank had 16 per cent of women in its customer base some four years ago.
Today, the institution has crossed the 25 per cent mark of women entrepreneurs in its customer base.
"That to me is remarkable. We can do it in a small customer base but that is something where there was a concerted effort towards it," Mr Minam said.
The FDB had introduced a lending facility for women entrepreneurs of between $1000 to $5000.
He said that 100 per cent unsecured product was proving to be a success.
He adds further support are provided through financial literacy programs as a holistic effort to train and empower those women entrepreneurs in their customer base.
Mr Minam said the other challenge was bringing women into senior roles in organisations.
In an interview with The Fiji Times, he beamed as he highlighted the gender composition of the institution.
"I am happy to say that my executive committee, which is basically me and my team, we are four males and four females," he said.
He adds 48 per cent of the FDB workforce are females and 52 per cent males.
"You got to drive it within and when you have this drive inside, then it works out," Mr Minam said.
On this occasion of the International Women's Day (IWD), the CEO paid tribute to all women, and saluted their contribution to development across all sectors in Fiji.
"To me, every day is women's day. To me, every day is an inclusive day.
Women's involvement in every aspect of life is very important," Mr Minam said.
Agence Francaise de Development Regional director Pacific Oceans Virginie Bleitrach echoed similar sentiments saying women are drivers of change.
She says it is vital for women to access the same rights and opportunities in all sectors because of their ability to drive change for development.
"They (women) have plenty of talents to share, to contribute to society the same as men," Ms Bleitrach said.