The Fiji Development Bank held a virtual session with various community leaders representing farmers and small businesses to create awareness on the government credit guarantee scheme.
Nine community leaders from across the rural-agro sectors in the Central and Western Divisions as well as the maritime communities were part of the discussion.
FDB CEO Saud Minam says they have been holding various Zoom discussions in the last two weeks and was pleased to reach out to community leaders that engaged with the grassroots farmers which is a mandated target market for the FDB.
Minam says they are ready to support its customers including our farmers under this scheme.
He says it has been a busy but successful two weeks where they have reached out to diverse groups to increase their awareness on FDB COVID-19 Recovery Credit Guarantee Scheme.
Minam has thanked the FDB team in helping businesses, individuals and farmers by assisting with information sessions, guiding them in applying for the loan digitally, and providing access to the much-needed financing during these times.
A Development Committee member of one of the villagers, Veilawa Rereiwasaliwa thanked the FDB team for the session.
Rereiwasaliwa says the features of the current funding program is revolutionary, especially with no payment for the first two years and simplifying the requirements.
He says it is the first of its kind that takes the current challenges being faced by farmers and SMEs into consideration.
Rereiwasaliwa adds the government has made a bold move to provide up to 90% security for this and it shows that it is putting its money where its mouth is.
