By RANOBA BAOA
In a bid to improve the socio-economic standards of women in Fiji, South Pacific Business Development launched a comprehensive financial diary yesterday.
This was done in partnership with Courts (Fiji).
South Pacific Business Development general manager, Elrico Munoz, said the book is aimed at changing the mindset of women across Fiji.
“Microfinance is not only about providing credit or savings or other financial services but it’s all about transforming lives,” Mr Munoz said.
“For SPBD, the way to transform lives is to transform the mindset of people.
“It’s not only about having money or having savings and quality assurance but allows our members to keep track of their financial state.”
This second edition contains useful and in-depth tips for managing finances in particular savings, loans and business and in turn allows the user to keep records of such finances.
Advantageous tool
With the introduction of the booklet, Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Jiko Luveni, said it holds many advantageous tools as far as microfinancing institutions go.
“I must caution that microfinance services without continuing financial education can do harm to clients, instead of doing good,” Dr Luveni said.
“I wish to commend SPBD for the foresight to product this booklet that is tailor-made for women in Fiji given the natural resources potential of our business to be available as for reference material at home.
“Microfinance can help the poor to increase income, build viable businesses and generate job opportunities.”
In light of this, as well as the partnership that Courts and the Ministry have built since last year, Courts director Marketing, Anil Senewiratne, said they were proud to be associated with such initiatives.
“This programme is extremely meaningful as it directly involves uplifting the living standards and enlightening rural lives,” Mr Senewiratne said.
“Courts is a people’s company and I trust that this joint collaboration would lead to more partnerships amongst our institutions for the betterment and uplift the living standards of women in Fiji.”
Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni (right) handing out the South Pacific Business Development Financial Booklet after launching it at Albert Park in Suva yesterday. Photo: JONA KONATACI