The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) is undertaking a financial literacy outreach campaign in the Western Division from 8-12 December 2020. The campaign is supported by the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP), a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Capital Development Fund. The campaign activities include financial literacy training and awareness sessions for sugarcane and cash crop farmers, workers in the tourism sector and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, a mini exposition will be hosted with partnering stakeholders and financial service providers at the VotCity flea market in Votualevu, Nadi from 10-12 December 2020.
The outreach programme will assist individuals and enterprise owners to make informed financial decisions at a crucial time where the productivity of local businesses, including smallholder farmers and MSMEs, is key to Fiji’s post-COVID recovery. The campaign is the second phase of the funded programme, with the first phase completed in Vanua Levu in September 2020.
The sessions will focus on building skills around basic money management concepts such as saving, budgeting and financial planning and increasing awareness on the types of available investments and their benefits, insurance, planning for retirement, business recovery and consumer protection. Training will be conducted throughout the week in Lomawai and Ciri in Sigatoka, Nawaicoba, Nawai, Votualevu and Sabeto in Nadi and in Naviyago and Vakabuli in Lautoka. MSME owners, farmers and individuals living in these areas are encouraged to take advantage of this training and awareness opportunity and visit the training venues and mini exposition during the week. A complaints management team will also be available to answer queries and take customer complaints.
The RBF is pleased to partner with a number of organisations and financial institutions for the VotCity mini exposition including the Embassy of Japan in Fiji, PFIP, ANZ Bank, Bank South Pacific, Fiji Development Bank, Fiji National Provident Fund, Fijian Holdings Unit Trust, Financial Management Counsellors Association, HFC Bank and the Markets for Change programme.