Fiji Development Bank Recognises the Power of Collaboration

Suva, Fiji. Recently, the Fiji Development Bank (FDB) received an invitation from Business Assistance Fiji (BAF) to hold a Financial Management Training for Co-operative Businesses in Ba town.

The two-day event was organised by BAF in conjunction with Niudawn Resource Procurement and Consultancy, and the Department of Co-operative Business. The training also acted as a networking/joint partner event for all collaborators involved.

Upon the request of BAF, FDB’s Senior Relationship and Sales Officer, Mr. Salwin Kumar, represented the Bank due to his expertise with Agriculture loan products. Interestingly, many of the training participants are farmers and members of the co-operative that operate cane harvesting machines.

Mr. Kumar presented on FDB’s financial literacy, business options, lending sectors, online application processes, loan repayment options, loan facilities, loan assessment criteria, etc. The awareness session also encouraged participants to grasp the importance of securing a Business Plan and developing the skills to navigate FDB’s website for additional information if required.

The FDB CEO, Mr. Saud Minam, recognised the indispensable collaboration of four organisations joining forces to achieve one common goal – to help Ba co-operative businesses understand the key elements to financial management.

“There are dozens of civil, public, private and hybrid organisations that are in Fiji and the South Pacific ecosphere that have been established to support small businesses. Unfortunately, they all rarely come together in the same space and these businesses don’t often know where to look.” 

“FDB has touchpoints with many/most of them and whether through programs like this, or networking recommendations by our officers, we do our best to give our clients access and knowledge to programs that will aid in their development. The client’s greater success is always our endgame,” he added.

The FDB session saw great enthusiasm as participants enquired throughout and after the presentation. By the end of the training, not only did all 25 participants receive certificates but they gained increased knowledge of how to readily access and sufficiently manage finances.

‘TEAM’ means ‘Together Everyone Achieves More’ and that was exactly what FDB, and its partners accomplished in Ba.