Suva, Fiji. The Fiji Development Bank (FDB) overcame distance as a barrier when they ventured to Galoa Island, in Lekutu, Bua. In this endeavor, the Northern Development Programme (NDP) team joined the Bank for the visit. The NDP is a Government funded programme that provides businesses with support and aid through grants in order to improve the livelihoods of populations in the Northern Division.
The Bank’s Seaqaqa branch team with the NDP team concluded the day’s event with a financial literacy session that also highlighted awareness of FDB loans for fishing operators and for women entrepreneurs. Approximately 40 Galoa villagers were present during this outreach activity.
As a great outcome to their visit, a new cooperative was recently registered by the villagers. The FDB team took the opportunity to provide this cooperative with the necessary requirements in purchasing a solar system, freezer, and other mandatory equipment to properly store their catch. Likewise, the women of Galoa, who currently run a canteen, also intend to acquire the same assets to cater for frozen items.
FDB CEO, Mr. Saud Minam, explained that this is another example of the Bank’s sincere outreach efforts, and such activities add considerable and genuine connections to these communities in remote touchpoints.
“FDB isn’t a typical bank and lending institution, we’re more of a partner to so many. The fact that the Galoa villagers registered a cooperative is so exciting. It’s never easy to get a lot of people to form a business alliance and this is a testament of our collective endeavors to grow Fiji’s economy where distance does not make any difference.”
The Bank is proud to continually collaborate with its development partners in bringing critical financial assistance to distant populations, such as the people of Galoa, who ordinarily may not be able to readily access these empowering services.
The FDB team on Galoa Island during their outreach session