Solar power for water

Locals learn from celebrity chef

Local chefs at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort and the Fiji Marriot Resort Momi Bay got a chance to learn from Australian celebrity chef Matt Moran who, over two days, showcased his wide-ranging talents in fine dining. The restaurateur was a guest at the two Sheraton Resorts property where local and international guests...

PRB success stories – Board built estates to support small town growths – The Draiba Estate

Located approximately 1.5km from Levuka Town and neighbour to Draiba Village is the 24 flat-Draiba Public Rental Board Estate. With a total population of approximately 120, the estate is daily managed by Keasi Kalou, the estate caretaker. The Public Rental Board Housing Estate community officer Sitiveni Tabua said the caretaker was daily assisted by the...

‘Best in Class’ award for local company

A local ICT solutions provider – VirtualFlex Solutions Ltd – was awarded the 2022 Best-in-Class – Pacific Region award by Vertiv. A statement from the company said Vertiv was a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions. While presenting the award to the company in Suva, Vertiv representative and head of sales NZ,...

Outcome to serve as voice of women entrepreneurs

The outcomes of the 2nd WIN (Women Invigorating the Nation) convention will serve as the voice of women entrepreneurs at the national policy level at the upcoming national economic summit. The convention kicked of with glamour and ambition with an admirable level of environmental consciousness and about twice the number of participants than the inaugural...

AML framework – FIU addresses gaps in compliance

Fiji has strong anti-money laundering laws and regulations, in particular the Financial Transactions Reporting Act and the FTR Regulations. Fiji FIU director Razim Buksh said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team met him and his senior staff during their visit to Fiji with discussions centred around Fiji’s anti-money laundering (AML) framework. “Fiji was assessed on...

IMF recommends extensive reform of Fiji’s tax strategy

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended an extensive reform of Fiji’s tax strategy which could increase revenue generation for the government. IMF’s Mission chief for Fiji, Asia and Pacific Department, Marshall Mills said the team was of the view that increasing VAT was one of the best ways to assist in rebuilding the revenue...

Strengthening investments

The Fiji Government delegation who are part of the 2023 Fiji Investment and Trade Mission to New Zealand, along with the local exporters were hosted by Ernst & Young (EY) to discuss pathways on how New Zealand can strengthen investments and partnerships in Fiji agriculture for successful exports. While sharing his vision, Deputy Prime Minister...

60th anniversary reward for customers

The Pacific Fishing Company Pte Ltd, better known as PAFCO is on a mission to reward its customers for the company’s 60th anniversary and one loyal customer leaves no chance of being forgotten. PAFCO’s 60th Anniversary Bash promotion was closed on March 11 and major winners were drawn at the Punjas Suva Office Board Room...

60 more Fiji bus drivers leave for NZ

About 60 more bus drivers are expected to leave Fiji for New Zealand in the coming week. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica made the remark while appearing on an interview with Radio Tarana in New Zealand this week. This comes as the Fiji Bus Operators Association (FBOA) expressed its concern about...

A new phase: The future of Fiji’s tourism industry is green

Under turquoise seas a unique cornucopia teeming with marine life awaits those lucky enough to holiday in South Pacific nation Fiji. Visitors here are welcomed with open arms. Tourism is vital to the lives and livelihoods of everyone in Fiji. Now rebounding strongly after the pandemic forced a virtual shutdown, Fiji’s tourism industry faces a...

Decision day for source codes ownership looms

The High Court in Suva will determine on March 28 the ownership of computer source codes — a company or its former director. Software Factory Pte Ltd (SFL) has taken civil action against former director Parmesh Dayal. It has asked the court to order Mr Dayal to hand over source codes being used by Software...

Significant risks to Fiji’s economic outlook remain – IMF

While Fiji’s strong economy is set to grow by 7.7 per cent of GDP this year, significant risks to the outlook remain, especially the high debt levels. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Marshall Mills, the team estimates Fiji’s debt levels to be around 85 per cent of the GDP, which...

Special recognition for Naituyaga

“NEVER had I imagined that I will reach such a milestone and achieve so much after starting my business.” These were the words of entrepreneur, Milinia Naituyaga after she received the special recognition award at the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs East Asia (AWE) Regional Summit 23 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia earlier this month. A...

‘Rare gem’ in tourism

THERE are people in the tourism industry who stand out by just being who they are. These are the rare gems who strike a chord with tourists and locals alike. And their names are always synonymous with the properties they work in. Like Salote Naisua Bali. Her smile and warm greeting to every visitor to...

Policies should focus on medium-term growth – IMF

A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommends that with a strong economic recovery underway, government’s policies should focus on maintaining medium-term growth, rebuilding buffers and enhancing resilience. Led by IMF’s mission chief for Fiji, Asia and Pacific Department, Marshall Mills, the team also highlights that key priority is to reinforce the balance sheet...

It’s love at work

NOT many women can say they love the work that they do. Many find themselves having to contend with whatever work they can find and then search deep within themselves for the strength to continue in a career they never intended to get into in the first place. And then there are the lucky few...

Negotiator calls for a balanced and equitable framework

THERE is a need for a balanced and equitable framework that addresses the challenges faced by less developed members like Fiji, while pursuing economic advancements in the Indo-Pacific Region. This was stressed by permanent secretary for Trade, Co-operative, SMEs and Communications, Shaheen Ali, as Fiji’s Chief Negotiator of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) in Bali,...

Engage with staff consistently

ENGAGE with staff consistently. This was the advice of BSP Life managing director Michael Nacola to more than 300 HR practitioners who attended the 2023 BSP Life FHRI Convention at the Sofitel Resort and Spa in Denarau. “It has to be something that you do because it is important,” he said. “It is just as...

New dynamics

NEW employment dynamics such as gender equality and a healthy working environment are pushing human resource professionals into thinking strategically, says BSP Life managing director Michael Nacola. Speaking at the 2023 BSP Life FHRI Convention at the Sofitel Resort and Spa in Denarau recently, he said adjusting to these new dynamics was important in order...

Learning opportunity – First Lady is WEBC 10th anniversary dinner guest of honour

The 2023 WIN Convention will end on a high with the hosts, Women Entrepreneurs Business Council celebrating its 10th Anniversary over dinner on Saturday March 25th and will have the First Lady Madam Filomena Katonivere as its Guest of Honour at the WEBC WIN Convention Closing Dinner this Saturday at the Grand Pacific Hotel in...

Cane farmers struggle with waterlogging

Excessive rainfall has long been a curse for cane farmers in Fiji and with waterlogged farms being an increasingly common occurrence thanks to climate change, some have expressed their gratitude for a recently introduced parametric microinsurance plan. Salaseini Koroi, who became a full-time cane farmer after her retirement from a teaching career said of her...

Insurance payout helps fishermen make ends meet

With their livelihoods heavily dependent on weather, many fishermen in the Western Division have been struggling to make ends meet. One such fisherman, Faizul Ali received an insurance payout while at sea for the recent heavy rainfall experienced in Ba. The parametric microinsurance policy covering excessive rainfall was introduced to Mr Ali through the Canefarmers...

Growth potential – Trade mission a platform for businesses to interact

The 2023 Fiji Investment & Trade Mission to New Zealand provides a platform for businesses from Fiji and New Zealand to interact and learn about both markets, and crucially to make business-to-business connections. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, SMEs and Communications Manoa Kamikamica said opportunities existed across a range of sectors –...

Interest in rainfall cover increases

Farmers and exporters co-operative Nature’s Way is expecting more members to sign up for parametric insurance covering rainfall and cyclones this year. Many farmers and other rural business owners have received payouts this year as a result of the heavy rainfall that has afflicted the Western Division in the past few months. This was made...

Insurance payouts for small business operators

Many members of the Nature’s Way Cooperative have received payouts from an insurance policy covering cyclones and excessive rainfall which has thus far been beneficial to both farmers and to other MSME owners. Small business owner Sainiana Tinai said while she had cultivated several skills to grow and diversify her business to lessen the effects...

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