Page 6 - SPBD Businesswoman of the Year Award 2023

SPBD

A MESSAGE FROM ELRICO MUNOZ

Director and General Manager, SPBD Fiji

Dear Readers
It is with immense pride and joy that I welcome you to this
special edition of our magazine, commemorating the 2023
SPBD Businesswoman of the Year Awards. This event is
more than just an award presentation; it is a celebration
of the resilience, creativity, and dedication of the women
who are transforming their lives and uplifting their families,
communities, and our beloved nation.
The theme of this year’s awards, ‘Women-led
Microenterprises Enriching Lives and Building Futures’,
perfectly encapsulates the transformative impact that women
are making in Fiji’s socio-economic landscape. Women-led
enterprises often focus on creating sustainable livelihoods,
addressing social challenges, and nurturing the next
generation. When women are empowered economically, they
become key agents of change, fostering prosperity for future
generations.

The achievements of our nominees serve as powerful in fostering sustainable livelihoods and addressing social
reminders of the limitless potential that lies within each challenges.
one of us when given the right opportunities. Through the
invaluable support of SPBD, these women have turned their Greg Casagrande, our Founder and President, commended
dreams into thriving businesses. Their courage to take that the extraordinary determination and courage of the women in
first step towards financial independence is an inspiration to the SPBD family, noting that these qualities have helped them
us all. In doing so, they have empowered themselves and the endure and succeed. He also emphasised the importance of
next generation. building relationships among aspiring, hardworking women
micro-entrepreneurs.
SPBD’s mission is deeply rooted in making a positive social
impact. We provide meaningful economic opportunities to Lorraine Seeto, SPBD Fiji Director, acknowledged the
hardworking and aspiring women micro-entrepreneurs in Fiji arduous task of selecting winners due to the extraordinary
and across the broader Pacific. Our services include training, qualities demonstrated by each finalist. She highlighted the
unsecured credit, savings, and death benefits, all tailored to transformative impact of women-led enterprises on Fiji’s
meet the specific needs and challenges facing rural village- socio-economic landscape.
based Pacific Island women entrepreneurs. To the finalists of this year’s awards, your individual success
To date, the SPBD Network has financed over 120,000 stories are a testament to perseverance, determination, and
women micro-entrepreneurs, providing them with over hope. You have shown us that with vision, hard work, and
340,000 individual loans totaling over FJ$630 million. Our the right support, anything is possible. Your journey has not
commitment to ongoing training, financial literacy education been easy, but you have demonstrated that when guided by
and support, ensures that these businesses become purpose, you can overcome any obstacle.
successful and sustainable. As we celebrate your achievements, let us also recognise
We are proud to celebrate the remarkable milestone of the collective effort of all SPBD members. Your businesses,
FJ$100 million in loan disbursements here in Fiji in 2024. leadership, and resilience have lifted families out of poverty,
This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard provided education for children, improved living conditions,
work of our team and the unwavering support of our partners, and inspired others to follow in your footsteps.
including the Fiji Development Bank. Together, we are building a more inclusive and prosperous
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Chief Guest, Fiji. Congratulations to all the award winners and finalists.
the former President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, for his May your success continue to inspire and uplift our
inspiring words. He highlighted the importance of making a communities.
positive social impact and the role of women-led enterprises Vinaka vakalevu and may God bless you all.

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