On 27th February 2016, category 5 Tropical Cyclone Winston struck Fiji. The storm was the strongest and most devastating cyclone to ever hit the South Pacific, leaving behind widespread destruction – 55,000 homes completely destroyed, 44 people died and at least 40% of Fiji’s population directly … [Read more...]
Loans provide energy for homes in the Solomon Islands
Single mother and sole bread winner Mary Pako received solar lighting in her home for the first time last year. The 45-year-old, who lives in a remote village of Tenarau in the Guadalcanal province of the Solomon Islands is a client of the South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Solar Lighting … [Read more...]
SPBD Solomon Islands Expands Outreach
Opening of a 2nd branch: In the 1st quarter 2016, with funding from Whole Planet Foundation and PFIP, SPBD SI plans to open a second branch in Munda in the Western Province. Over the next three years, SPBD SI plans to reach another 5,255 women micro-entrepreneurs and make $15.4 million SBD ($1.9M … [Read more...]
SPBD OFFERS NEW LOAN PRODUCTS
SOUTH PACIFIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT In addition to the microcredit loans, small and medium enterprise (SME), and overseas worker loans (OWL), South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) has launched the following new loan products: White Goods/Renewable Energy Equipment Financing Product Currently … [Read more...]
SPBD Solomon Islands Client Health Check-ups
SOUTH PACIFIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT To continue the efforts made in the SPBD network related to measuring the social impact of SPBD Microfinance microloans to women entrepreneurs in poverty, SPBD Samoa conducted an Impact Assessment Survey in the 3rd quarter of 2014. They collected and analyzed … [Read more...]
SPBD Samoa Social Impact Assessment Survey
SOUTH PACIFIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT To continue the efforts made in the SPBD network related to measuring the social impact of SPBD Microfinance microloans to women entrepreneurs in poverty, SPBD Samoa conducted an Impact Assessment Survey in the 3rd quarter of 2014. They collected and analyzed … [Read more...]
Progress Out of Poverty Index (PPI) in use by SPBD Fiji
PROGRESS OUT OF POVERTY INDEX (PPI) IN USE BY SPBD FIJI The Progress Out of Poverty Index (PPI) for Fiji is now finalized and available for use in Fiji. The full report and documentation of the PPI is available at the following link: www.microfinance.com/#Fiji. The Fiji National Financial Inclusion … [Read more...]
SPBD Network drives Social Performance and Financial Education Forward
SOUTH PACIFIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT The rollout of the Financial Education Programme (FEP) has been a main emphasis of the activities of the SPBD Network in 2013 and 2014. The Financial Education Program (FEP) has been launched in a staggered format since the second half of 2013. The focus is on … [Read more...]
SPBD- SPBD Samoa and SPBD Tonga Receive Smart GIRAFE Ratings from Planet Rating
SOUTH PACIFIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Planet Rating (A Global Microfinance Rating Agency) conducted Smart GIRAFE Ratings for SPBD Samoa and SPBD Tonga. This is the first time SPBD has been rated by an International Rating agency. The ‘Planet Rating’ rating committee has granted SPBD Samoa the good … [Read more...]
SPBD- Cyclone Ian – Relief and Reconstruction in Ha’apai
SOUTH PACIFIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT On 11 January 2014 Cyclone Ian ripped through the Pacific Island nation of Tonga, devastating the Ha’apai island group. The cyclone completely destroyed more than 1,100 buildings in Ha’apai, and many more structures sustained major damage, including 13 primary and … [Read more...]
