WORLD BANK GROUP ONGOING PROJECTS:

■ IFC is conducting surveys in Fiji of business and government employees aimed at advancing women’s employment – with a focus on the potential role and need for childcare.

At the same time, they are also surveying to better understand the impact of domestic and sexual violence on Fijian employees and employers, and to help develop tailored solutions for the Fiji business community.

■ Yesterday, a World Bank Group team, led by IFC, will be presented with a Presidential Award at the Bank Group headquarters in Washington DC for their work in supporting Fiji make history by becoming the first emerging market to issue a sovereign green bond. It stands as a great example of Fiji delivering on its ambitions and delivering for its people.

■ Proceeds of the green bond, which brought in FJ$100 million, are being used to rebuild school buildings and bridges, boost access to clean and safely managed water and install cyclone resistant solar home systems across the Western, Northern and Eastern parts of Fiji, just to name a few projects.

■ IFC’s support on all those fronts – and in helping Fiji achieve a record first with its green bond - would not have been possible without the support of Australia under the Fiji Partnership.

■ First for health care in the Pacific model is the first for Fiji. Fiji’s own Fiji National Provident Fund, FNPF, will be a key shareholder – working with Aspen Medical, an Australian based international hospital operator, to upgrade, expand and manage the healthcare services at two Government owned hospitals in Ba and Lautoka.