Come Friday night, we will be able to know who are the 2017 Fiji Development Bank National Small and Medium Enterprise Awards winners for all the categories.
Recognition of these industries by way of awards not only encourages them individually, but also fosters development and growth.
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In 2004, the 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 of a turn over between $30,000 and $500,000 in gross sales per annum.
The awards have evolved from the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Awards to 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.
New India Assurance Company Ltd takes pride to sponsor one of the award category - the Green Conscious Awards. They contribute to the above objective of fostering growth and development.
Company chief operating officer Subhash Mehta said: “Green consciousness or Eco-friendliness is more than just a trend.
“What started as hype in the business world about a decade ago is now a standard parameter to measure a company’s performance, success and value.
“Twenty years ago, most companies didn’t make much effort to jump on the green bandwagon; economic success was too important and it was secondary to focus to spend extra money on protecting the environment.
“At least, this was the general way of thinking. But some businesses were different at the time and put early eco-friendly measures in place.
“It is certainly no surprise that those companies are the winners in today’s race to be green. Much has changed recently, above all consumer’s awareness and mentality, and nowadays a company has to be eco-friendly in order to be taken seriously.
“We being the South Pacific Island country are the most vulnerable to the devastating effect of Climate Change and have always been championing the importance of Green consciousness.
“This is widely understood and accepted by the entire world and rightfully led by a country none other than Fiji by championing its cause and successfully convening COP23 in Germany recently.
“Fiji has also recently introduced Green Bonds which also underscore Fiji’s determination to fight against the climate change and foster the green environment in the economy as a whole.
“To achieve above aim, recognition of those creative industries is necessary and for this, New India Assurance has extended its Hand for this appropriate cause.”
The New India Assurance has been operating in Fiji since 1954.
Mr Mehta said: “We also would like to announce that Winner of Green Conscious Award would be given 20 per cent discount by us on their existing premium on all their General Insurance Policies due for renewal in the year 2018.
“We also wish all the best from New India Assurance to the aspirants of Green Conscious Award.”
The President Jioji Konusi Konrote, will officiate as chief guest at the 2017 FDB’s National SME Awards on Friday, February 9, 2018.
Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj
