Page 10 - SPBD September 2024

SPBD

SPBD’S LABASA’S NEW LOOK, NEW LOCATION

SPBD Fiji’s Labasa office is now open In Vanua Levu, McDonagh recalled
on the bustling town’s main road. his first visit to Fiji in 2017, and
The office relocation is a strategic General Manager Munoz’s mention
move to increase SPBD Fiji’s visibility of SPBD Fiji’s plans to open an office
and accessibility for clients and other in Labasa later that year.
partners. “So, it feels somewhat auspicious
SPBD Fiji’s General Manager & that I am here today for this
Director, Elrico Munoz, said the special occasion, an occasion
organisation invested around $2,000 that demonstrates SPBD Fiji’s
to upgrade the new premises. The commitment to continue serving
three Centre Managers servicing SPBD clients in Labasa and the surrounding
Fiji’s Labasa members will operate northern region of Vanua Levu,”
from the site, supported by a back- McDonagh said.
office manager. “Under Rico’s leadership, SPBD Fiji

The new office commissioning in late has always put its clients first. His
August was attended by local business Team Leader Labasa, Suitin Fiafia, with Mark McDonagh and Elrico team does this by listening to what
Munoz.
leaders, SPBD Fiji members and the they have to say and incorporating
judges for the SPBD Fiji Businesswoman of the Year Award, their feedback when designing new products and services. In
who were in town to interview finalists. this way, SPBD Fiji’s customer-centric approach helps ensure
that client protection is always at the forefront of what they
Kiva Investment Manager, Mark McDonagh was the Chief do.”
Guest. Kiva is a global non-profit organisation that works
to bring financial inclusion to all, by helping entrepreneurs Munoz expects an increase in business with the new, more
access loans through its microlending site, unlocking capital, prominent Labasa location.
and addressing the underlying barriers to financial access SPBD Fiji Labasa Branch is at Shop 2, Main Street, Nasekula
around the world. Kiva has been in partnership with the SPBD Road, Labasa.
group for 18 years.

EMPOWERING WOMEN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
THROUGH FORMALISED BUSINESS PRACTICES

Women play a pivotal role in driving Fiji’s economic SPBD Fiji aims to have 80% of its members registered with the
development, and empowering them is essential to this ROC and aligned with FRCS through TIN registration. From 4
progress. A key component of this empowerment is February 2024 to 31 August 2024, SPBD Fiji has assisted 1,486
formalising their business practices. SPBD Fiji’s members members with business registration and TIN alignment.
now have access to streamlined services for new business Information regarding this service and the forms are with
registrations, renewals, Tax Identification Number (TIN) the Centre Managers. If members require this service, the
registrations, and business alignments, facilitated by an relevant forms are with the Centre Managers who visit
independent Business Service Provider, Mr. Udit Sharma, members weekly. SPBD Fiji provides the completed forms to
through SPBD Fiji under the Fiji Bloom Program.
Mr. Sharma’s team to process. The certificates are returned to
Mr. Sharma highlighted that the process has been centralised SPBD Fiji to disseminate to its members.
to ensure seamless coordination with SPBD Fiji. “This service On another note, members can also do these processes
allows SPBD [Fiji] members to concentrate on growing by themselves through the one-stop shop portal recently
their businesses, while we manage the administrative tasks, launched by MSME Fiji. The Business Now Fiji portal can be
including new business registrations and renewals with accessed through this link: https://www.businessnow.gov.fj/
the Registrar of Companies (ROC), TIN registrations and
alignment, assistance with PIT lodgements, compliance with Either way, it is best for SPBD Fiji members to register their
pending filing and payment obligations, applications for businesses, comply with regulations and seek the necessary
remission of penalties, and the issuance of Tax Compliance licenses.
Certificates with the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service
(FRCS),” Mr. Sharma explained.
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