PRIME Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, was yesterday briefed on the work of the South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Microfinance (SI) Ltd in supporting local young girls, women and families in Solomon Islands.
SPBD founder and chair, Gregory Casagrande, is in the country on an official trip to meet with clients, workers and key dignitaries, including Prime Minister Sogavare.
“SPBD microfinance is at the forefront of providing meaningful livelihood opportunities, to the unbanked people of Solomon Islands through our microfinance program.
Till date we have disbursed a total of SBD 154,000,000 to more than 29,000 unemployed women in Guadalcanal, Munda, Noro and Gizo, to setup small businesses and a good livelihood for themselves and their families.
Our clients have a variety of small and medium-sized businesses. The businesses our clients operate range from: Farming, retail shops, fish sales, food stalls and much more,” Mr Casagrande said.
SPBD operates at the grassroots level through its microfinance programme to help create substantial employment in the unorganised sector.
Mr Casagrande stated, “SPBD’s ambition is in line with the policies and objectives of the government of the day to empower the under privileged.”
Prime Minister Sogavare meanwhile, acknowledged the services that SPBD provide to the people of Solomon Islands.
He applauded SPBD for involving the rural population in its programme.
“This directly helps to alleviate poverty in the rural areas.
“Many young girls and women in Solomon Islands are benefiting from this service.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that in offering its service, SPBD must consider the importance of flexibility and understanding of the challenges that many of young girls and women are faced with such as lack of education, lack of financial background and limited know how on proper planning.
Mr Casagrande is a serial Social Entrepreneur and Founder of SPBD Microfinance Network, the leading microfinance institution in the South Pacific.
