Fiji Development Bank staff are taking part in an international peer-to-peer learning exchange in Thailand aimed at strengthening approaches to agricultural, rural and climate finance.
The exchange, running from Aug. 17 to 21, brings FDB staff together with the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) in Thailand. The programme is facilitated by the Agri-PDB Platform hosted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA).
The two development-focused financial institutions are exchanging experiences on supporting smallholder farmers, rural communities and climate-resilient agriculture.
Key areas of the programme include climate-smart and agroecological agriculture, green and climate finance, blended finance and innovative financial instruments, agricultural and rural development financing, value-chain development and financial inclusion.
The exchange also covers institutional knowledge and capacity building, giving participants an opportunity to examine practical approaches and implementation challenges.
BAAC has more than five decades of experience in agricultural development finance and serves millions of farming households across Thailand.
FDB is Fiji's national development financial institution and is a Green Climate Fund Direct Access Accredited Entity. The bank said the exchange would help strengthen its role in financing Fiji's transition towards a more resilient and sustainable economy.
The programme is intended to go beyond a study visit by allowing the institutions to share experiences, identify effective approaches and bring lessons from the exchange back to Fiji.
FDB said stronger knowledge and partnerships can contribute to better financing solutions for farmers and rural communities while supporting more resilient communities and a sustainable future for Fiji.
