By RACHNA LAL

Air Pacific will officially change its name and start trading as ‘Fiji Airways’ from June 27.
Returning to its 1958 name, the switch-over will mark another important milestone in the airline’s turnaround.
Air Pacific acting chief executive, Aubrey Swift, said it was exciting that after a 15-month journey, they would be known as ‘Fiji Airways’ across the globe.
“The changeover represents an exciting future for the airline that is rooted in our more than 60-year history and service to the people of Fiji,” he said.
“At the heart of our airline’s new name and brand is the Fiji Airways’ brand mark, a striking new Masi design, created by celebrated local Fijian Masi artist, Makereta Matemosi.
“The brand mark symbolises the airline’s new identity and epitomises all that Fiji Airways represents.
“Fiji Airways will continue to be the country’s flying ambassador to the world, bringing the renowned Fijian hospitality to people across the globe.”

Turnaround plan
Mr Swift said the changeover underscores the success of the airline’s turnaround plan, which started in 2010.
“It has culminated in reversing record losses and significantly growing passengers and revenue without increasing the size of the carrier’s fleet,” he said.

What more to expect
June 27 will represent the official launch of the Fiji Airways brand with a number of further new brand elements rolled out across Fiji and the international marketplace on this date.
The new identity will involve exciting changes to the customer experience, uniforms and the airline’s new website – www.fijiairways.com – all to be revealed on June 27.
Schedule, product and service enhancements will be rolled out through the rest of 2013.
This will be accompanied with the delivery of the third brand new Fiji Airways Airbus.

By RACHNA LAL
Additional Information: CENTRE FOR AVIATION

Air Pacific’s second brand new Airbus A330 arrived in the country on May 23. The third Airbus is due to arrive in November.

Air Pacific will look at renewing and expanding the fleet of its subsidiary, Pacific Sun, after it completes the renewal of its widebody fleet in November.
Our national airline, soon to be flying as Fiji Airways, received its second Airbus A330 last month with the last one due in November.
Air Pacific acting chief executive, Aubrey Swift, informed the Centre for Aviation on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association annual general meeting on these plans.
The meeting is being held in Cape Town, South Africa.
Mr Swift said Air Pacific plans to replace the two ATR 42s and three de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otters operated by Pacific Sun.
He has indicated the carrier may opt for ATR 42-600s and ATR 72-600s.
Mr Swift highlighted the ATR 72-600s would be used to replace the Boeing 737s on thin low frequency short-haul routes.

Air Pacific fleet
Air Pacific currently operates four Boeing 737s, two brand new Airbus A330s and two Boeing 747-400s.
Once the airline will receive the third Airbus A330 in November, it will then retire its Boeing 747-400 fleet.

By RANOBA BAOA

One of the country’s oldest clubs, the Suva Royal Yacht Club, held its annual Appreciation Sponsors’ Evening at the club on Wednesday night.
And with the event, the club is also looking to secure potential sponsors for its growing Junior Sailing Programme.
The event saw members of Suva’s business community mix with club officers.
Club Commodore Mark Hirst said the 88-year-old club has over 800 members of which over 120 are boat owners.
“This is our annual sponsors’ event where we welcome all our current sponsors,” Mr Hirst said.
“We use this opportunity to market the outcome of those who want to try and take on more sponsorship.
“This year’s event is more to do with the Junior Sailing Programme where we would really want more sponsorship.
“So we are putting a package up with their logos on the sails, naming rights and logos on the boats.”
The sailing boats, he said, is an expensive equipment to maintain.
Mr Hirst hopes more people would take on the sport as it was not only exclusive to expatriates as people deemed it to be.
“We hope that continuing sponsors will be able to see the potential in this sport as these kids may have a future in international sporting events in future,” he said.
“We want to note that not all our members are expatriates kids but also locals, and this is definitely one sport everyone can enjoy.”

Roya Suva Yacht Club Junior Sailing Programme team at the club on Wednesday night. Photo: RONALD KUMAR

By Pita Ligaiula of PACNEWS

Brussels: Concerns have been raised that the Pacific ACP (African Caribbean Pacific) region’s commitment to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations has not been matched by the European Union.
This has been indicated in an updated report to the ACP Council of Ministers Meeting on the State of Play on Economic Pacific Agreement for the Pacific
The report says the European Union seems unwilling to seriously engage with Pacific ACPs.
“It seems on EU’s side, the EPA is used as an instrument to drive its mercantilist interests rather than being a tool for development for Pacific ACP,” a report obtained by PACNEWS stated.
“Example, its intransigent position on export taxes is dictated by the EU’s raw material initiative policy of 2008.”
It’s says the issue of additional adjustment assistance has featured prominently in the negotiations.
The paper says the Pacific–EU interim EPA does not have a development chapter and all 14 Pacific ACPS have continued to negotiate on development co-operation in the context of the comprehensive EPA.
PACPs argued that they will be undertaking commitments in the EPA and the EU must provide legally binding, additional financial resources to cover the costs of EPA adjustments.

Aid for Trade Strategy
It says the EU has agreed to include reference to the Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy, the Aid for Trade Matrix and the Pacific Regional Trade and Development Facility (PRTDF) in the EPA.
The paper said these are the key instruments that will be used to mobilise additional Aid for Trade resources to the region.

Fisheries sector
The paper says the fisheries sector is one of the few sectors that have the potential to contribute to sustainable economic growth and development for most Pacific ACPs.
It said this is the main reason Pacific ACP included fisheries in the EPA negotiation.
It says a key request by Pacific ACPs is improved Rules of Origin for fresh, chilled, and frozen fish.
Pacific ACP argue that improved rules of origin can provide development benefits to Pacific ACPs and contribute to their regional integration.
“The main concerns from the EU in the fisheries negotiation include EU access to Pacific ACP fisheries resources and Pacific ACP conservation and management measures,” it said.
“Pacific ACP are at the final stages of the EPA negotiations and the fisheries issues remain an outstanding issue but are key to concluding the negotiations.”

Disappointments
At last month’s Pacific Trade Ministers meeting held in Fiji, disappointment was expressed over the European Commission’s slow reaction in providing formal feedback on Pacific ACP proposal which will further delay the negotiation.
This was despite the significant work undertaken in 2011 and 2012.
They directed that the Pacific ACPs complete the necessary work to conclude negotiations on EPA before the end of 2013.
They noted the EU’s decision to amend Market Access Regulation 1528/2007 will directly affect Fiji.
But it also puts further pressure on some Pacific ACPS to either join interim EPA or Pacific ACPS to conclude negotiations on comprehensive EPA by 2013 without satisfactorily addressing the contentious issues.

Next meet
Pacific ACPs will meet the European Commission for a Technical Working Group (TWG) on fisheries on from June 24 to 28.
A joint TWG from July 1 to 5 in Brussels will then take place.

By Pita Ligaiula of PACNEWS

Brussels: The ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States) yesterday pressed the European Union (EU) to honour its commitments and extend the sugar quotas until 2020.
The European Union Agriculture Council proposed to extend the Single Common Market Organisation for sugar by only two years from 2015 – 2017 instead of 2020 as agreed by the EU Parliament.
The ACP Ministers expressed concern about certain aspects of the EU report entitled, “Prospects for Agricultural Markets and Income in the EU 2012- 2022”.
This claims the expiry of the quota will lead to a reduction of the domestic sugar price in the EU and make imports, including those with preferential access, less attractive.
It says imports would decline regularly to reach 1.5 mio tonnes in 2022 compared to 2012.
It also said the EU is moving towards self-sufficiency and will even become a net exporter from time to time.
Current ACP exports average around 2.3 mio tonnes.
It clearly shows when faced with competition from sugar imports from countries such as Brazil, Peru, and Columbia, ACP sugar production will simply be excluded from the EU market and duty and quota-free access will be of absolutely no use.

Meaningless market
Mauritius Permanent representatives to the European Union, Ambassador Jagdish Koonjul said the ACP Ministers stressed this access to the EU market would be of no value and meaningless if there is no reasonably remunerative, stable and predictable sugar export revenue.
“The immediate challenge is to be able to convince the EU jointly with the Parliament and the commission to agree to extend the quotas until 2020,” Ambassador Jagdish told PACNEWS.
“The quota system represents an important, if not the only tool at the moment that is able to ensure stability in the market and to ensure there is no price volatility
“Because the minute the quota is going to be removed, there is completely liberalisation.
“When there is liberalisation. our sugar will not be able to compete with sugar coming from other countries that where we already know their technology is advance, the cost of production is low.”

Budget scaled down
The ACP Ministers also expressed concern that the 2012 – 2013 budget for Accompanying Measures Support Programme (AMSP) had been scaled down.
The ministers have asked the EU to manage the disbursement with more flexibility and ensure that the funds made available to former members of the Sugar Protocol are fully utilised by these countries.

By RANOBA BAOA

The Fiji Institute of Accountant annual congress themed ‘Challenge of Change’, will facilitate dialogues in discussing the changing demand on Fiji’s business community.
The two-day annual congress starts today at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island in Nadi.
Institute president Cama Raimuria said the need to adjust according to the changes is imperative.
“Businesses should embrace change. Change is important for any organisation because, without change, businesses would likely lose their competitive edge,” he said.
“This year’s congress has an interesting line-up of speakers to deliver on a mix of business and economic issues equally have a good line-up of panellists to deliberate on some key issues.”

Technology assistance
Participants will, for the first time, be able to text comments and questions to the panelists and organisers which will then be addressed during discussions.
Mr Raimuria said they plan to introduce the use of Twitter and more advance technology at the congress next year.

Main speakers and topics

Devadas Krishnadas – The founder of Future Moves, Singapore and South East Asia’s first business foresight consultancy, who will deliver the keynote address.
Ian Taruita – Papua New Guinea NASFUND chief executive and chairman of the PNG Provident Fund will present on ‘A Pacific Perspective on Investment Opportunities in Fiji’.
Justin Smirk – Senior economist of the Westpac Group will deliver on ‘Sovereign debt and its impact on growth’.
Ram Bajekal – Group chief executive FMF Foods Limited will speak on the ‘Challenge of growth in the Pacific’.
Mark Mahoney – general manager of Mindpearl Call Centre will present on ‘ICT- Bringing the world to Fiji’.
Razim Buksh – director of the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, will speak on ‘The Nexus between Anti-Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering Systems in Fiji’.

By RACHNA LAL

Fiji should not look into exporting beef as there is already a big market locally to supply beef to, says an industry expert, Peter Colmar.
He said Fiji has around 750,000 tourists and a little less than one million population which is enough to supply local beef for.
“There is a good market for beef in Fiji and this is enough to supply for the next 20 years or so,” he said.
Mr Colmar made these comments yesterday as he facilitated a Sarami Workshop in Suva. The workshop was hosted by the Fiji Crop and Livestock Council at the Holiday Inn Suva.
The Sarami Workshop is a model derived from cattle farming business in Vanuatu called Sarami Plantation for which Mr Colmar is the owner.
With this example, the model provides Fiji with practical lessons recommended as key features and outcomes in the beefing industry that may be promoted in Fiji.
Mr Colmar said, with exports, then there would be the whole thing about the abattoir.
“If you want to export, then you need to have abattoir and the rules keep changing,” he said.
“It puts up the cost of meat processing – you don’t need that.

High imports, improving quality
Mr Colmar said while Fiji doesn’t export beef at present, it does import quite a large amount.
“This is even to the extent Fiji imports for the tin meat industry and turns it into cans and then this gets re-exported,” he said.
But Mr Colmar said there is a need to import at this stage especially for the hotel industry because the tourists want soft steak.
“If you eat Fijian beef, it’s always quite tough. So you need to get the quality up before you can supply to the resorts and the tourism sector,” he said.
“Making the quality better just requires feed them better, look after them better, genetic change and improving pastures.”

Huge potential
Mr Colmar believes there is huge potential in the beef industry but the people getting into it need a bit of patience.

Independent meat consultant, Jon Marlow (left) with Sarami Planation owner, Peter Colmar during the Sarami Workshop at the Holiday Inn Suva yesterday. The workshop was organised by the Fiji Crop and Livestock Council. Photo: RAMA

By RANOBA BAOA

The all new Toyota RAV4 will soon be talk of the town as it was officially launched by Asco Motors at the Holiday Inn Suva last night.
RAV4 crossover Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) features are emphasised by stylish, aerodynamic lines with athletic stance.
Boasting cleverly thought-out features and design, RAV4 is said to be a pleasure to drive and ready to go anywhere in true style.
Read more in the Fiji Sun Business section in tomorrow’s paper.

Toyota RAV4 cross over SUV in red. Photo: TOYOTA

By RACHNA LAL

While some local bus companies continues to import buses, confidence in Fijian made buses has not gone down.
Bus builder, PA Lal Coachworks, has increased its production capacity by almost 150 per cent compared to the previous year.
This was confirmed by PA Lal group general manager, Lawrence Robert.
Mr Robert said in order to meet demand both locally and abroad, they have increased their manpower as well as productive hours.
Just last month, the company exported its first bus to Samoa, made for the Samoa Airport Authority.
They also exported a mini bus to Kiribati which is 43-seater Dongfeng Cummins Minibus chassis with Dreamliner body.
“PA Lal Coachwork prides itself that there is no product type that would be demanded by the local market that we, as Fiji’s largest bus body builder, would not be able to manufacture,” Mr Robert said.
“The manufacturing activity therefore creates its own dynamics and multiplier effect within the local economy.
“Manufacturing is carried out using the latest available technology so that products are competitive and affordable without compromising safety and quality.”

How to survive
Mr Robert said in order to survive in business, the company has a policy of continuous development and improvement.
“We significantly in training to equip our workers with the skill set that its operations requires,” he said.
“We also pay a wage rate that provides our workers with an incentive to remain with the company.
“We continuously refine our production techniques so that production methodology is effective and efficient.”

Investment in areas
Mr Robert said the company has invested heavily in research and development.
“This is so that the products we produce meet the safety standards set by local regulators and which are internationally bench marked,” he said.
“Our buses and coaches are designed with “Roll-Over” standards providing safety for the travelling public.
“This avoids the bus body collapsing should the bus meet with an accident and roll over.”

Commitment
Mr Robert said they remain focused on meeting local market demand in terms of products that are modern, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and cost effective.
PA Lal coachwork is an established manufacturer of local buses and coaches. It has been in business for the past 68 years.

The Samoa Airport Authority bus assembled by local PA Lal Coachworks. Photo: PA LAL COACHWORKS

Permanent Secretary for Finance, Filimone Waqabaca (right) unveiled HFC’s new deposit products yesterday. HFC chief executive, Isikeli Tikoduadua (left) described the products as the first of their kind in Fiji. Photo: RAMA

By RACHNA LAL

HFC yesterday launched two unique deposit products into the market; HFC Investor Return Deposit and HFC Insure Term Deposit.
Described as perhaps the first of their kind, the products guarantees to offer high returns.
In launching the two products, Permanent Secretary for Finance, Filimone Waqabaca, congratulated HFC for introducing such innovative products into the market.
“The intention by Government is always to ensure that our financial system is stable given the development that is happening in other international markets,” he said.
“We also intend to ensure we work towards growing our financial system to become the hub in the region.
“For that to happen, we need to introduce products in the market that our investors and our people can enjoy and I think HFC has done that again with the introduction of this product.
“This supports the Government’s intention to build our financial system and introduce new products in our market.”
HFC chief executive, Isikeli Tikoduadua, highlighted the liquidity system is quite high in Fiji.
“Investors are looking for alternative instruments and we have two more choices for our customers and potential investors,” he said.

Saving for future
But whilst Mr Waqabaca is keen to see the economy growing through consumption, he is also urging people to take care of their future by saving some of their disposable income.
“The problem is when look you around the market, the savings products are limited,” he said.
“We were hoping to have some attractive financial products out there in the market so that people can start saving some of their disposable income.
“I think today we have addressed this issue with the introduction of this unique product.”
Investor Return Deposit
The Investor Return Deposit is a term deposit product for those who would be looking at investment that ensures there is guaranteed ‘returns’.
HFC manager Policies, Research and Development, Arishma Prasad, said this is a concept similar in most parts of the world.
“This product has return based on the profit sharing concept and currently we have pegged it at 3.6 per cent per annum as guaranteed return,” she said.
“This is higher than normal term deposit interest rate and is open to all the customers.”

Term Insure
The HFC Term Insure is designed and offered for those who would be looking at investment.
It gives not only guarantee return but at the same time provides value added insurance package to give extra comfort for immediate need in case of death.
“Every depositor with extra premium of $50 per person per annum gets the insurer cover for $5000 with guaranteed interest rate of 3.5 per cent for 12 months,” Ms Prasad said.

Requirements and market
For both the accounts, investment amount range from $500 to $250,000 and these deposits could also be pledged as loans at 25 per cent discounted establishment fee.
The target market for these deposit products are professionals, retires, mum and dad who would like to earn more than putting money in the savings and cheque accounts.
Another unique benefit of these accounts is the survivor benefit payout of the deposit amount to the beneficiaries’ in case of untimely death of customers to an amount of $10,000 without getting probates or legal documents.

Commercial banking entry
As HFC prepares its transition into commercial banking, it has in the last 18 months reviewed nine of its existing products and introduced six new ones.
Mr Waqabaca is sure as HFC moves towards becoming a fully-fledged commercial bank, it will be able to do much more to support the economic growth and development of the country.
“I’m sure when you do become a fully-fledged bank, we will have a bank amongst us which will be more flexible and will meet the development needs of this nation and our people,” he said.

By RANOBA BAOA

The arrival of Japanese fourth generation 2013Toyota RAV4 into the Fijian market indicates resilience and confidence for continuous investment here.
Permanent Secretary of Finance Filimoni Waqabaca highlighted this as over 100 guests witnessed the unveiling of the Asco Motors’ 2013 Toyota RAV4 at the Holiday Inn Suva on Thursday night.
“This addition is a strong indication of Asco’s continuous aspirations to provide customers in Fiji with the best choice of vehicles,” Mr Waqabaca said.
“It demonstrates Asco’s resilience and confidence to continue its investments in Fiji and endeavour to stay ahead of the game in Fiji’s growing automotive industry.
“A reasonable portion of this contribution stems from commercial investments of large motor trading companies such as Asco Motors.”

Multiplying effects
Land transport sector alone contributes around 1.4 per cent to gross domestic product or overall economic growth.
In this sense, the indirect or direct multiplying effect of transportation can be seen in all sectors of the economy.
Additionally, Mr Waqabaca urged those present to take advantage of the attractive tax concessions offered by the Bainimarama Government.
This includes reduced import duty on new passenger motor vehicles of 15 per cent; new trucks weighing less than 3 tonnes at five per cent. Also attractive is importation of new trucks exceeding three tonnes at five per cent.

Returns for FNPF
Asco Motors financial controller, Jai Kumar, said they were proud to contribute to the returns of investments towards its shareholders, Fiji National Provident Fund.
“We look forward to working in partnership with relevant stakeholders including the Ministry of Primary Industries to ensure a sustainable growth of the agricultural industry,” Mr Kumar said.

Toyota RAV4 cross over SUV unveiled at Holiday Inn Suva on Thursday night. Photo: PAULINI RATULAILAI

Compiled by RACHNA LAL

Welcome to Hard Talk, where we pose questions to both top executives and budding entrepreneurs on some of the major issues involving business.

Some serious competition has come about in our television industry since the introduction of FBC TV one and a half years ago.
Where Fiji TV once used to be the dominant player in the market, despite Mai TV’s presence, FBC TV has brought about real competition.
FBC TV’s well-thought and planned programmes have attracted the likes of many.
Some of what could once only be seen on Fiji TV’s pay channel, Sky Pacific, can now be seen for free on FBC TV.
The competition has not only benefitted viewers with more choice, but also advertisers with more options and better deals coming about.

Advertiser survey

Often we have had media outlets conduct their own surveys on viewership, readership and listenership. This to some extent, is bound to be biased towards the media outlet itself.
However, recently, we have had one of FBC TV’s major advertisers, which also advertises with Fiji TV, reveal statistics of a survey it carried out.
This advertiser has outlets around the country in almost every town and city and had gathered information for its customers who came to shop in their outlets in the North, West and Central divisions.
The statistics gathered from all the three centres between January to March showed 65 per cent of those surveyed prefer watching FBC TV.
More than 1000 people’s views were taken.
Fiji TV in response said it gets its surveys done by a worldwide specialist agency twice a year.

r Comments from FBC TV chief executive, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum:

1. Upon receiving this information, we asked Mr Sayed-Khaiyum for his reaction about the statistics:
We are very happy for two reasons:
l These numbers are absolutely amazing and shows the team here are really working hard. So we are reaping the rewards of the hard work that is being done and we are extremely pleased.
l This will augur well for in business because we are after all a Government commercial company.
We want to add more revenue and this will assure us of earning more revenue because with these sorts of statistics, more business houses will want to come and advertise with us.
As it is, we already have 90 per cent coverage and we now have majority of those people watching our television, in this case, 65 per cent of all Fijians.
However, this is not the first time this advertiser of ours has shared this information with us. They have shared this information a few times as they have done survey.
In the early days when they have shared surveys with us, we were disappointed that we were not doing well but we were also realistic about the fact we had just started television.
So we put our heads down and we started working. And this time around, we were absolutely amazed and more than pleasantly surprised.

2. So what’s really happening with the TV market here?
We have spoken about this to our clients but we haven’t spoken about this publicly. This is what we believe will be a turning point for FBC TV.
Nowhere in the world will you find a TV company that has these sorts of results in just starting over a year of television operations.
It is phenomenal and fantastic. It can take companies years – sometimes even decades – to get a place where they get majority of the television audience watching them. We have done this in about a year.
It all comes down to the hardworking staff of FBC, the confidence that has been shown in us by the Government who are our shareholders and all the well-wishers who wanted us to do great things.
FBC, apart from its TV arm, is not confined to just TV. We like to look at ourselves as a wholesome broadcasting organisation. We have six amazing radio stations which have the widest reach, we hold some amazing events.
The Park Jam is one of them. The crowd turnout was pleasing. We have some amazing new programmes coming up.

3. How would you describe the television market as far as advertising is concerned?
I have always said that we want to grow the advertising market and I am sure there are many businesses that Fiji is growing with more businesses starting in Fiji.
So hopefully there is enough businesses for everyone to have their share of the market.
Obviously we would want to have majority of the share of the market and this statistics proves it.
But I am sure there is enough left in the market for everyone to be able to carry on with their business and offer alternatives to the people of Fiji in terms of programming and content.

4. Where does FBC stand at present?
We have recently signed memorandum of understandings (MOUs) with four international national broadcasters around the world and this just shows the willingness of the national broadcasters to get into an agreement with FBC.
FBC is not just a South Pacific broadcaster anymore. We are world-players, we are a global broadcaster.
We have signed MOUs with KBS out of Korea, EBS also out of Korea and IRIB out of Iran and we are on the verge of signing an MOU with the national broadcaster for Turkey.
So that means content exchange, picking up new ideas, people from those countries coming to shoot here and profile Fiji. We want people to know our country.
We have been promised that these people will come and make programmes on Fiji.
We will exchange ideas on technology, there will be training opportunities for all our staff and opportunity for us to show programmes from all around the world and not typically from the Western countries only.

5. What more can people expect from FBC TV?
We currently have programmes in Korean, Hindi and French and there will be more of that.
We have also signed agreement with TV Five Monde out of France which means will soon start showing French movies once a week. We are also expecting movies out of Korea, Turkey and Iran.
So this is an exciting time for us and it comes on the back of the survey which we were not expecting at all. So the next year and half there will be some amazing growth times for FBC.
We also have plans to launch a whole lot of new programmes which are local. We are working on several concepts at the moment and we are expanding so quickly that it sometimes feels like it is so hard to keep up.
We should be launching some really exciting programmes for the people of Fiji in the coming months.

Fiji TV chief executive Tarun Patel

• Comments from Fiji TV chief executive, Tarun Patel:

Fiji TV recently underwent major shareholding change. Yasana Holdings, which used to own majority shares in Fiji TV, was purchased by Fijian Holdings.
Therefore, a new board is now in place adamant to regain Fiji TV’s dominance and presence.
We asked Mr Patel about the competition which has come about as a result of FBC TV coming into the market and their plans for survival.

1. It’s been more than a year since FBC started – how has it affected you?
The presence of a third TV channel within the free-to-view space has intensified the competition for the advertising and sponsorship dollar as well as the competitive bidding for content.
This is in addition to the activity of ensuring that the maximum audience is tuned to your service.
Every effort is being made by all operators to maximise viewership and through our audience research, we see that the overall TV viewing audience has increased over the past two years.

2. Has it made any difference to your sales in terms of advertising?
Competition in any sector will see an improvement in services and the consumers within the sector will have a greater choice.
We now see a greater variety of content that viewers are able to choose to watch and with this advertisers are also able to target audiences with their messages.
Our overall sales revenues remain steady as Fiji TV’s focus has become more regional. This is with the added benefit of having the Fiji 1 channel being able to be received in 100 per cent in Fiji through Sky Pacific and also its reach into 10 other Pacific Island countries.

3.  We know you have dropped your advertising rates. Why? Surely there must be some difference now.
Each year we review our rates. This has been consistent over the past 19 years our business has been in existence.
Review takes into account viewership rating information, cost structures, competitive market analysis, and the plans, needs and abilities of our advertising and sponsorship partners.

4.  What are your sales like now? How was it before?
Our sales revenues remain steady with growth in months where we have special events and promotions.
Revenues during the last quarter of the calendar year has seen a consistent pattern of growth.
Any adverse natural disasters place negative pressure on advertising revenues. This is consistent with how much disposable income is available in the market.

5.  By FBC coming into the market, what has happened to the television advertising dollar?
Overall, combining the revenue the Fiji 1 has with that of what FBC has and also Mai TV, our research shows that there has been a growth in the market for the advertising spend from previous years factoring in the challenges of the Global Economic Crisis, devaluation and local natural disasters.

6.  What are you doing to retain your share of the market?
We continue to evolve in how and where we source our content as it remains our largest expense.
We continue to enhance our locally relevant content with a mixture and variety consistent with our core business objective.

7. What do you think of the survey conducted by Courts?
Fiji TV has contracted the worldwide TV Audience Measurement research agency Nielsen to conduct surveys in Fiji.
Their research methodology is utilised by broadcasters, agencies and advertisers. Two surveys periods are done each year.
We are extremely grateful to our loyal viewers and advertisers in continuing their relationship with Fiji 1 and Sky Pacific and remain satisfied with the results.
Courts continues to remain one of our top 20 customers and we thank them for that.

The Ministry of Agriculture officials joined their counterparts from the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) last week in Buca Village, Natewa, Cakaudrove to hold consultations.
These consultations were on the restrictions of the movement of dalo planting materials from infested areas into their farms.
After a recent survey in Buca that was conducted by the Research Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, one dalo beetle (Papuana uninodis) was found on a banana plant which is also a host plant for dalo beetle.
Research officer (Plant Protection), Anare Caucau, said the survey was conducted last month and sampling began at the taro plantations near to the village before working up towards the hilly interior.
“We know there may be more beetles and we do not want its population to grow so we are taking the necessary steps now,” Mr Caucau said.
“Random plants were chosen at each plantation and examined for tell-tale signs of taro beetle feeding.”
“The 30 primary host plants (dalo & dalo via) were examined but revealed no damage symptoms.
“The village plantations were situated along the river making the soil habitat ideal breeding grounds for the taro beetle amongst other pests.”

Banana patch
Mr Caucau said a banana patch of about 10 trees was then selected at random and the first two banana corms examined showed old beetle feeding marks.
“Further digging around the base of the plants revealed insect body parts and numerous larvae which were too large to be taro beetle (possibly rhinoceros beetle),” he said.
“This was also when the lone live adult taro beetle was found.”
Mr Caucau stressed to the villagers in Buca that the population could increase if no stringent measures were put into place.

Demonstration plot
A demonstration plot will soon be set up in Buca whereby recommended insecticides will be sprayed around the dalo plant to create a barrier and ensure that the beetle does not enter the dalo plant.
Dalo beetles (Papuana uninodis) are a major horticultural pest as it affects the multimillion dollar dalo export industry in Fiji.
The past few years has seen dalo earning the Fiji economy around $20 million.
— MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

Buca villagers read through dalo beetle leaflet during consultations in Buca, Natewa, Cakaudrove. Photo: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

By RANOBA BAOA

Not only are our hotels receiving recognition from widely-known TripAdvisor.com, but also our favourite spots to sip a cold beer, hang out with friends or enjoy a nice meal.
The New Nadi Farmers Club Bar Restaurant was awarded a Certificate of Excellence from this famous travel website.
For two and a half years, couple, Tom Liu and Tracey Farrington have successfully run the hotspot for tourists, expatriates and locals alike.
Whether it’s sipping on a glass of wine, enjoying live music, or making use of the ‘happy hour’ the restaurant has, it’s no wonder they have received thumbs-up from their customers.

The name

The couple acquired the club, initially known as Farmers Club.
Director Ms Farrington said they wanted to create a spot that attracted a variety of people.
“We’re passionate about our work and we put our hearts into the business and our customers who visit ‘The New Nadi Farmers Club Bar Restaurant’ really love it,” she said.
“And so many of our visitors have posted positive reviews on Trip Advisor.”

The attraction

Ms Farrington said the business has significantly changed mainly because of the attractive services they provide.
“We have extended the size of the club by taking the land next to the river where we have created the ‘Tropical garden with Fijian Bures & Aussie Beer garden and river side deck.”
This is the hub of the club with free live music and show entertainment.

Clothing line

But there’s more to club than your everyday or every night hangout if you may call it.
In fact, it is home to the Ms Farrington’s clothing line, BONDI BEACH BAG CO FIJI Boutique Retail & Wholesale.
Ms Farrington has been a prominent fashion designer in Australia for over 25 years and this is an extension of her Australian business here.
She supplies to major department stores like Myer and David Jones, other boutiques in Australia, Pacific, Caribbean and Europe.

Expansion plans

Ms Farrington indicated they have plans to grow the business even further.
“Our new developments are part of improving the quality of entertainment for the people of Fiji,” she said.

Tracey Farrington in front of the her shop housing a range of tourist and souvenir attractive items. Photo: NADI FARMERS CLUB BAR RESTAURANT

Newsbreaks, exciting programmes planned for coming months

By RACHNA LAL

In light of the overwhelming public demand for FBC TV’s most popular local show, Bati Ni Tanoa, the station will take this out to the community this month.
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation chief executive, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, said they will be starting off with this in a non-typical fashion.
“Usually what happens is when there is a show for the first time, it is done in the capital first – in Suva,” he said.
“But we realised that Suva is not Fiji. Fiji is made up of a lot of other places and we want to take it to the West of the country first.
“This would be to give the people of the West a taste of one of our most iconic programmes.”
The show will therefore be held on June 15, this Saturday in the evening, at the Churchill Park in Lautoka.
The show’s message
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the show deals with not only entertainment, but also education in terms of nation-building.
“The message it conveys on a weekly basis is on how we can live together as proud Fijians and do all we can to build our nation,” he said.

Giving back to
community
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said for the show in Lautoka, they plan on having all the stars of Bati Ni Tanoa there along with some musical element.
“We wanted to give something back to the community,” he said.
“It is a very exciting thing for us to do because we are taking our TV show back to the grassroots, back to the community.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum indicated if this is successful, they would make this a regular event in the FBC calendar.

News breaks
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum indicated they are also almost ready to launch their new breaks soon.
Whilst not giving away too much, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said it would be a newsbreak with a difference.
“The newsbreaks will be done in the vernaculars in iTaukei and Hindustani on weeknights but there will be something different about this,” he said.
“This is also in line with plans that FBC TV is about launching a whole lot of new programmes which are local.
“We are working on several concepts at the moment and we are expanding so quickly that it sometimes feels like it is so hard to keep up.
“We should be launching some really exciting programmes for the people of Fiji in the coming months.”

By JYOTI PRATIBHA

There is a need to show the world that Fiji is a destination which can be chosen for more reasons than for leisure.
This is the view of Fiji-based call-centre operator, Mindpearl (Fiji) Limited general manager, Mark Mahoney.
Mr Mahoney made these comments while speaking to participants at the 41st Fiji Institute of Accountants Congress at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island in Nadi.
He said to attract more foreign investors in Fiji’s other industries, apart from tourism, there was a need to get word out that Fiji had right environment for professional growth.
Mr Mahoney said Mindpearl Fiji is geared towards quality growth, rather than increasing just the number of their staff.
He said Fiji was chosen by the management to extend their call centre services because of all that was on offer.
“Fiji has excellent cultural connections to and affinity with the UK/Europe, Australia and the USA market,” he said.

Our language

“Following the British education system, the population is well-versed with English language.
“Fiji has a high number of graduates available each year because of ‘state-funded education system’.
“Cost competitiveness aside, the added bonus we believe that Fiji can offer is the ‘cultural and linguistic understanding’ that can often be weak in certain other offshore locations.
“Hence the overall quality/value of customer interaction is excellent.”

By JYOTI PRATIBHA

Fijian banks are very diligent in identifying suspicious transactions, even when the transactions involve small amounts.
These observations were highlighted by the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit director Razim Buksh at the 41st congress of the Fiji Institute of Accountants.
The two-day congress which ended yesterday was held at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island in Nadi.
Mr Buksh indicated case studies which had been brought before the Courts where those convicted had been involved in a number of dubious transactions involving small amounts of money over a period of time.
He also pointed that till May, the unit had received 20 requests from Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) to look into financial activities of 39 individuals and five business entities.
Last year the Unit had also received 20 requests from FICAC to check the financial activities of 73 individuals and 32 business entities.
Mr Buksh said there were also discussions to include FICAC as a member of the National Anti-Money Laundering Council.

Representatives from the banking sector at the 41st Fiji Institute of Accountants congress at Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island in Nadi yesterday. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA

By JYOTI PRATIBHA

BRED Bank (Fiji) Limited’s head of corporate services, Asit Sen, was last evening announced as the new president of Fiji Institute of Accountants.
He takes over from Cama Raimuria, who had completed his one-year term.
Mr Sen said he was honoured to have been elected the president of the Institute.
He said the profession was a demanding and noble one and he, together with his members, would work towards maintaining the integrity of the profession and the institute.
Mr Sen joined the Fiji Institute of Accountants Council in 2011 and has served in the Marketing, Journal and Investigation Committees of the Council.
Mr Sen played an important role in setting up BRED Bank’s corporate services division from the outset. He is also the Company secretary of the Bank.
BRED Bank (Fiji) Limited started its operation on November 3 last year.
Before that Mr Sen served as general manager Finance at Fiji Ports Corporation.
Meanwhile, Renu Chand, a partner at KPMG, was elected Vice President for the institute.

Outgoing Fiji Institute of Accountants president Cama Raimuria (right) congratulates the newly-elected president, Asit Sen during the 41st Fiji Institutes of Accountants congress at Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island yesterday. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA

By RACHNA LAL

Airports Fiji Limited is now considering an entirely new plan for the Nausori International Airport.
This involves building an entirely new terminal at a different location altogether.
This has been confirmed by Airports Fiji chairman, Faiz Khan.
“Our plans are likely to change. Initially come 2016, we had thought to renovate the existing Nausori Airport Terminal,” he said.
“But our new plan is to build a new terminal altogether at basically a new location.”

New proposal
Mr Khan said once Airports Fiji finalises its plans for Nausori Airport, it would then take the new proposal to the iTaukei Lands Trust Board (TLTB) with the new land area involved.
As far acquiring new land would be concerned, Mr Khan said they would pay the highest and best used value of the land to landowners.
“From Airports Fiji point of view, we are going to offer the market rate for the land the we will acquire which is the highest and best used value of the land,” he said.
“This would be the market value plus value of the land’s potential in future.”
Airports Fiji will also be working with other relevant stakeholders such as the Fiji Roads Authority before it can send the new proposal to TLTB.

Investment amount
As far as the cost of investment in the new terminal site is concerned, Mr Khan said it would be almost the same.
“Whether we renovate the old terminal or get an entirely new terminal, cost would commercially be almost the same,” he said.
“So we see it as better to get a new terminal which would still be around $20 million than renovating the old one.”

From left: Bollywood film director, Anubhav Sinha, Financial Intelligence Unit director, Razim Buksh and Mindpearl general manager Mark Mahoney during a panel discussion at the 41st Fiji Institute of Accountants Congress at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island in Nadi yesterday. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA

Points ways of making Fiji more lucrative

By JYOTI PRATIBHA

Over the past few years, Fiji has been providing the most lucrative tax concessions for film makers to shoot film here.
Top Bollywood director, Anubhav Sinha, who was the brains behind high grossing movies like Ra One and Tum Bin said Fiji is his number one choice currently for film production.
His movie ‘Warning’ which was shot in Fiji is due to release in September this year.
Speaking at the 41st congress of the Fiji Institute of Accountants, Mr Sinha said Fiji continued to provide lucrative options for film production.
However, Mr Sinha also pointed out that Fiji should not be complacent.
He pointed out that many locations such as Mauritius, Switzerland, Cape Town and neighbours Australia and New Zealand had a ‘flirtatious’ relationship with Bollywood without any long term commitment.
He said these countries at some stage became obsolete locales for film shooting and newer options had been sought.

Suggestions for long-term

For Fiji to avoid this and to be able to have concrete commitment of long term relationship with Bollywood, Mr Sinha said a few essential things needed to be taken into account.
He said during the shooting of his movie ‘Warning’, he had to bring all equipment from India- from basic lights to more advanced cameras.
Mr Sinha said if Fiji was to be able to provide film makers with some of the basic equipment, it would be one less thing for producers to worry about.
One-stop centre concept

He further pointed there needed to be one-stop centre where film producers and those intending to shoot their movies in Fiji could go to for further information and clarification.
He said a lot of time was spent by them to explain what they needed to do while shooting a movie.
“An educated window where all film related questions can be answered to start with would be appreciated,” he said.
“By the time we finish explaining why we would need to close off a street for shooting, we would already have moved on to the next location for easy filming.”
Mr Sinha also pointed that having people experienced in the film making industry readily available in Fiji would give a further advantage and at the same time provide temporary employment to locals.
“A facility which would act as a post-production area for film makers would also give Fiji an edge over others,” he said.

Tourism marketing

Mr Sinha said when movies which are shot in Fiji are released in India, that particular time could be used by the Tourism Ministry to market Fiji to Indians as a holiday destination.
In terms of equipment, Mr Sinha said many of the basic equipment were already available in Australia, an option that Fiji could explore.
He said at least 22 hours had taken to fly from India to Fiji, with a stopover in Hong Kong.
Mr Sinha said introduction of shorter route would also be advantageous.
Mr Sinha attended the Congress as a speaker on the invitation of Film Fiji acting chief executive Florence Swamy.