DBSI looks to the future

EVEN though the

Development

Bank of the Solomon Islands (DBSI) will celebrate 21 years of banking in January 1999, it has already come of age.

DBSI has gone through an amazing evolution from its incep tion in 1977 as an agricultural loans board to a leading partner in development banking. It is a repu tation the Bank is rapidly coming to enjoy. The bank’s mission is to improve the quality of life for Solomon Islanders and to assist in the economic development of Solomon Islands.

“As we approach the end of this millennium and the dawn of another, we will be mindful of the bad times we came through, how ever working with the Solomon Islands Government to realise the aspirations and the many different needs of our clients,” said Bank chairman John Michael Asipara.

“Our hope, to be able to help every Solomon Islander to achieve his or her “dream project”, will remain in sight thus steering the Bank towards a genuine, reliable and co-operative banking effort”.

The Bank was established under the provisions of Development Bank of Solomon Islands Act 1977, and became offi cially operational in January 1978.

By the end of 1996, the Bank had gone through 19 years of

development financing, providing

during that time financial support to 9,236 Solomon Islanders valued at $82.65 million.

Although it is not possible to determine the multiplier effect of

this intervention on the local economy, just considering the amount of money dis bursed so far, there is no doubt that by local standards the Bank’s intervention in the economy has been considerable. The urge to become easily accessible encouraged the

establishment of branches and sub-branch es in the provinces and at the end of 1996 there were four branches and four sub branches. Further development of this net work will be encouraged with the opening of one or two more offices and promotion

of at least two sub-branches to branch sta tus by the year 2000. From a simple but purposeful beginning, DBSI is making headway to realising its vision of becom ing the leading development financier in the Solomon Islands. ■

DBSI has been heiping Solomon Islanders to improve their standard of almost 21 years.