SPBD is a network of microfinance organizations working in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, and Solomon Islands dedicated to eradicating poverty by empowering women in poor rural villages with the opportunity to start, grow and maintain sustainable, income generating micro-enterprises.

Casagrande: We will be here forever

Posted on October 29, 2012

Fiji Times Online - South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Microfinance network — the biggest and most successful microfinance network in the South Pacific has blazed the trail of establishing unsubsidised Greenfield microfinance operations in the region and has earned recognition from different parts of the world for its efforts to uplift the conditions of women.

SPBD founder and President Greg Casagrande confirmed to guests at their recent opening in Savusavu Town they would be ever present to provide customers with unsecured credit for their housing improvements and for their children's education.

"We will be here forever to provide you with convenient savings, affordable insurance and ongoing guidance and motivation to ensure your businesses are a success and that is our commitment to you," said Mr Casagrande.

"Each of you, our members, is in turn making five commitments to SBPD and your first commitment is to start and run some sort of small income generating business, all members must be involved in some sort of business activity."

"Your second commitment is to attend the weekly meetings held in your SPBD village centres, over time you will find that these meetings are a great source of training and learning, of companionship and support and of inspiration and motivation. We need to see your bright smiling faces at these weekly meeting," he said.

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=215268