In 2004, the Fiji Development Bank [FDB] launched the Small Business Awards to encourage the growth of Small and Micro Enterprises by providing them a platform to compete for recognition.

Ten years later, the awards programme was expanded to include medium-sized enterprises with a turnover between $30,000 and $500,000 in gross sales per annum.

And today, some 12 years later, and in the Bank’s 50th anniversary year, they are taking the awards to even greater heights – they have revamped the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Awards to  call them the FDB’s National SME Awards.

Apart from promoting and encouraging SME development through the recognition of successful and innovative entrepreneurs, the award has been restructured to contribute in progressing global goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals, locally, and the Climate Change Framework as reflected in the bank’s new Strategic Plan 2018-2020.

The vision for FDB in 2020 is a development bank that is strongly positioned as one that drives for changes that promote inclusive, green and sustainable development by initiating and providing innovative financing solutions.

Its new strategic direction has conceived this shift in the principal objective of the SME Awards, gearing the platform towards promoting and strengthening SME growth that is inclusive and one that embraces sustainability than ever before.

The bank has proudly secured sponsors and partners that share the common objective of promoting our SMEs to develop and excel in their sectors, add value to the economy, be responsive to climate change and to progress global goals.

Each of the sponsors – the bank’s development ambassadors, provide sponsorship and add value to the scheme

The partners were also selected based on their business practices and their commitment towards the bank’s shared common goals.

The bank has expressed gratitude to six of its long standing partners: Quality Print, Sun Insurance, Vinod Patel, New India Assurance, Reserve Bank of Fiji and Fiji Television Ltd.

There are new partners that include: Fijian Holdings Ltd, Kookai, Fiji Sun, Mechanical Services Ltd, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, and the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.

The creative partner, Art and Soul, event partner, Orange Productions, and the bank’s special partner, J. Hunter Pearls.

The theme of this year’s FDB National SME Awards is Promoting SME Growth for Future Generations.

This awards platform is designed to encourage the SME entrepreneurs through recognition and to change mindsets to educate and advocate on promoting SMEs which are the drivers of our economy – indeed they create employment, ensure flow of service delivery and in doing so are bridging the gap between Fijians.

The FDB has been an integral development partner for national development. Many people and organisations have benefitted from its financial programmes. It deserves special recognition for the important role it plays.

Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj