A review of FIDC’s Corporate Plan (2024 – 2029) alongside a workshop with attendees, as well an active presence throughout the week spotlighted FIDC’s continued support of economic development within the farming community at the Rural Business Association (RBA) 2026 Farmers Week.
The presentation of the FIDC Corporate Plan (2024 – 2029), delivered by FIDC Managing Director Zachary Franklin, walked the approximately 40 attendees through the seven (7) overarching objectives of its current plan, including the Green Business Programme, ensuring support for the Camp economy, fit-for-purpose grants and loans, status of projects, and where FIDC team members sat with internal training and continued professional development.
Franklin spotlighted that under the Corporate Plan (2024 – 2029), to date, FIDC has assisted nearly 25 percent (%) of the Falkland Islands population, and additionally, within the Green Business Programme, FIDC has assisted the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) with injecting £892,000 into the economy over the past three years.
“This is a huge win for both FIDC and FIG,” said Franklin, during the presentation. “This shows FIDC is doing what it is supposed to be doing, that loan and grant funding remains fit for purpose, and that the business community trusts the team at FIDC to help with their initiatives.”
Franklin also underscored the work FIDC has thus far pursued on projects, including hosting two (2) Economic Development Forums, working with Falkland Shears Committee to successfully run the Tri-Nations International Shearing Test Match between the Falkland Islands, Wales, and Chile, current tenants at Hillside Business Park, co-financing with the Falkland Islands Chamber of Commerce the publication of “The Falkland Islands Inward Investment Review” report, desalination at Goose Green Farm, participation in the Beef Suppliers Working Group (BSWG) and general support for the Falkland Islands Meat Company (FIMCO), the engagement with shipping companies from Chile after successfully hosting business delegation visits between the two (2) countries, and the feasibility study currently being conducted for a marina in Stanley Harbour.
Following the presentation, FIDC Strategic Projects Manager Sam Cockwell invited attendees to provide feedback on the current Corporate Plan (2024 – 2029), in terms of what FIDC is doing correctly, what the RBA membership would like to see FIDC deliver more on, and how, if necessary, FIDC may need to adjust its objectives over the coming two (2) years.
In addition to the presentation and workshop, the Marketing and Communications Officer and Communications Assistant also hosted a Canva training essentials workshop, which was open to all RBA members. This saw 10 participants.
FIDC had an exhibition space at the RBA Farmers EXPO, where attendees could meet with members of the entire FIDC team to discuss any number of issues.
FIDC also ensured that at least one member of staff was in attendance for all other events that made up Farmers Week 2026.
