Ariff Ali: The role of the Reserve Bank of Fiji and contribution to economic growth

Welcome remarks by Mr Ariff Ali, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji and Chairman of the National Financial Inclusion Taskforce, at the 2017 National Microfinance Awards, Suva, 28 May 2018.

The views expressed in this speech are those of the speaker and not the view of the BIS.

Central bank speech  | 
16 August 2018

Salutations

The Permanent Secretary for Industry & Trade and Tourism;

Members of the Reserve Bank of Fiji Board;

Members of the National Financial Inclusion Taskforce;

Sponsorship Partners;

2017 National Microfinance Awards Finalists;

Distinguished Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Welcome

Bula Vinaka and a very good afternoon to you all.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to this function today, a special occasion where we recognise our champions in the micro enterprise sector. Please accept our humble apologies for the deferment from the initial schedule to have it in the later part of last year.

I wish to specifically welcome our finalists for whom this occasion is all about. Thank you for your determination and perseverance to make your goals and dreams a reality in the different businesses that you have established and are now operating. For a developing country like Fiji, the potential for the micro enterprises sector to be a driver of economic growth cannot be underestimated, and we therefore truly appreciate how the businesses we are recognising today have led the way in this regard.