Women in Korovou and the greater Tailevu North areas will now be able to get better support through South Pacific Business Development Microfinance after the opening of its new branch in Korovou.
Speaking during the opening of the new branch, Korovou District Officer Salanieta Baleigau says women continue to face barriers in areas including education, employment, leadership and healthcare.
However, she says if women are supported in business, they can help create opportunities for others and strengthen their communities, including by improving access to finance and markets, providing business and digital skills training and mentoring, creating networking opportunities and promoting equal opportunities at decision-making levels.
She says the government, financial institutions, the private sector and communities need to work together to create an environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive.
Meanwhile, SPBD General Manager Nitesh Sinha says the opening represents growth, progress and an unwavering commitment to serving its members better by making services more accessible and timely.
He says it is a reaffirmation of SPBD Fiji's commitment to empowering women, strengthening families and creating economic opportunities throughout Fiji.
Sinha says since commencing operations in 2010, SPBD has worked with thousands of women entrepreneurs, helping them start and grow businesses, improve household incomes and build a brighter future for their families.
He says the opening of the Korovou branch brings SPBD closer to the communities it serves and allows it to better support existing members while reaching more women who aspire to establish or expand their businesses through access to financing, savings opportunities, financial literacy and business development support.
Sinha says when women succeed, families prosper, communities become stronger and local economies grow, and therefore the new branch is not just an investment in SPBD's expansion, but also an investment in the potential and resilience of the people of this region.
This also marks the opening of SPBDs 11th branch in Fiji.
