General Manager, South Pacific Business Development Microfinance Fiji Ltd;
Management, Staff and Members of South Pacific Business
Development Microfinance Fiji;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Bula Vinaka and a very good evening to you all.
It gives me great pleasure to be here with you today to celebrate South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Fiji’s eighth year anniversary. Indeed, a great milestone!
SPBD, is part of the network of Microfinance institutions that are working around the Pacific, not only in Fiji, but Samoa, Tonga and the Solomon Islands. The aim of the SPBD is to provide women in rural communities an opportunity to start, grow and maintain sustainable income-generating businesses.
To those of you here today, you are examples for all Fijians, especially women, of how you have been able to break barriers and become successful entrepreneurs.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the past 8 years, more than 3,000 women and approximately 145 villagebased groups in Rewa, Tailevu, Namosi, Suva and Lami, have benefited from the SPBD programmes focus on financial inclusion. As women, we play a crucial role in decision making and studies reveal that having access to finance makes women more confident and independent.
Having said that, I believe that all you ladies of the SPBD Fiji present here today, have experienced this change and it is definitely positive for you, your families, your communities and the nation as a whole.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Fijian Government recognises that women are critical to economic growth and community stability. Women are likely to save and contribute to broader livelihood of their community.
In this regard, programmes such as the Micro and Small Business Grant (MSBG), is an example, where women have broken barriers and proven that they too achieve anything if they work hard.
Since the inception of MSBG in 2015, 41 per cent of women have been successful recipients of the micro-grants. From the monitoring conducted indicates that 56.5% women were successful in implementing the micro and small business grants in 2017-2018 and 60.7% in 2018-2019. The successful percentage of women’s access to micro grant indicates an increase in 6.9% increase between the two years.
This monitoring exercise covered areas such as Savusavu, Taveuni, Labasa, Navua, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Rakiraki, Tailevu and Suva consisting approximately 1,800 females.
The highest number of female recipients recorded was from Nausori, followed by Labasa and Savusavu respectively.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The theme for today’s event “Going Green, Going Blue for Micro-Business Going to Grow” is one that is fitting, as it not only reflects the work done by SPBD, but also serves as a national call for entrepreneurs to be more responsible for their actions, especially when it comes to our precious environment.
It is encouraging to note that many businesses are taking keen interest in the conservation and sustainable management of resources. And today’s theme augurs well with the Fijian Government’s Green Growth Framework.
The Green Growth Framework establishes an economic model in which the sustainable use of our resources is paramount. We should and we must conserve and manage our natural resources and our rich cultural heritage for the survival and sustainable development of our country and our identity, as Fijians.
The Framework focuses on the 3 pillars of sustainability – economic, social and environment. Its environmental and socio-economic benefits compliment the work that you do and the work that is done by the SPBD.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Coming back to today’s event, I would like to commend the marvelous work done by SPBD. You have continued to contribute to the development of microfinance in Fiji and I encourage you to continue the good work for many more years.
To Elrico and the team, thank you and vinaka vakalevu for your commitment and sacrifice. I am sure your good work will not go unnoticed and will continue to impact the lives of many Fijians and Pacific Islanders.
To the finalists of the 2018 SPBD Businesswoman of the Year Awards, I congratulate you all for being inspirations for all the ladies here. To all you businesswomen, I salute you for making the effort to improve your lives and the lives of your loved ones. Reflect on the positive changes that microfinance has brought about in your family, community and the nation at large.
In my Maiden Speech in November last year, I informed Parliament of the tireless work and sacrifice my late mother made, not only in raising me, but in helping other women groups. We all come from humble beginnings and any challenges we face as women, should not be seen as barriers, but tests. Tests to prove that we can accomplish anything if we put our mind and hearts to it.
So keep reminding yourselves of the special and tremendous work you’re doing and keep the momentum going. Our economy is only as good as the individual units that encompass it.
With those words, congratulation once again to all the nominees on your achievements. And if you’ve missed out on a prize, you are all still winners because you’ve made it this far. Happy 8th Anniversary to SPBD and an enjoyable evening to you all.
Thank you. Vinaka vakalevu.