By JYOTI PRATIBHA

The Commissioner Western’s office is also seriously looking into sugar cane burning cases as the four mills prepare for crushing in the coming weeks.
So far this year, 22 farms have been burnt around the country.
Out of this, 11 cases were confirmed arson.
As a result of these fires, 853 tonnes of sugar cane have reportedly been burnt.
A joint meeting was held with sugar industry stakeholders and the security services- military and police yesterday.
This comes as a directive from the Sugar Minister, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to find a solution to cane burning was discussed.
Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki said there was to be increased patrolling of cane farms in the Western Division.
He said that pocket meetings would be held with cane farmers in the West to discuss the issue of cane burning.
Also highlighted during such pocket meetings would be avenues of compensation that the Sugar ministry was working on, for those farmers whose farms had been deliberately burnt.

Vigilance a key factor
Commissioner Cawaki said these farmers had lost their source of income and perpetrators would be taken to task.
Commander Cawaki said people also needed to be vigilant.
“We have come across these cases and are seriously looking into it,” Commander Cawaki said.
“As for compensation, it would be for the Permanent Secretary (Lt-Col Manasa Vaniqi) to decide, but no stones would be left unturned in ensuring farmers are not targeted.”
Pocket meetings between police, military officers and farmers would be taking place from next week around the Western Division.

OPS Pacific Company Limited vice president, Simione Tugi.

By RANOBA BAOA

A new institute which recognises the need to improve occupational health and safety requirements and also offer training for miners will be launched at the Holiday Inn Suva today.
Experts in the field from the UK-based company OPS Group,who will launch OPS Pacific Company Limited, are expected to arrive in full force as the institute takes shape in Fiji.
The OPS Group of companies started in the UK some 15 years ago providing skilled trades people primarily for the oil and gas industry operating in Libya.
OPS Group of companies provides globally-accredited occupational health and safety training and consultancy to nearly every industry of the industrialised world.
OPS Pacific offers world class technical and occupational health and safety training institute.
At the helm of the launch is OPS Pacific vice president SimioneTugi.
Mr Tugi said the question of safety is of serious concern to the Government.
“Safety is an issue and therefore cannot be compromised and theOHS Act is still yet to bring about significant reduction in the number of workplace-related injuries,” he said.
“It is therefore incumbent upon employers and the Government to realise that it is their duty to ensure that working atmosphere is conducive to an employee’s health.
“We have the best qualifications to work in that sector to equip them with industry specific skills and prequalification for global occupational opportunities.”
Mr Tugi also noted that the courses offered will add value in terms of the no-visa agreement between Fiji and Papua New Guinea citizens.
“To have easy excess of movement without visa will definitely create a great opportunity for employment for our unemployed Fijians to work in the oil and mining industry in PNG,” he said.

Marc Santos

By RANOBA BAOA

The free-to-air Fijian television station, Mai TV,  has appointed a new general manager to run its operations.
Marc Santos, currently the head of Digicel –owned DIGITV, a paid TV station in Tonga, will replace the role and functions of Mai TV founder and managing director, Richard Broadbridge.
A company news release said, Mr Santos takes up the position this month and its subsidiary revenue streams and expressed his thrill over the position.
“I understand the pressures Mai TV is under. I’m confident I can assist the group with its growth in Fiji and other parts of the region”, Mr Santos said.
The release noted that Mr Santos is an experienced television executive.

SKYLITE Production expands
Meanwhile, Mr Broadbridge has begun the expansion of his production arm SKYLITE Productions into new territories including Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Under the trading name of Click Pacific Limited, Mr Broadbridge will lead the establishment of a new business in PNG.
This will be focused on TV production and the digital signage arm Click.

By RACHNA LAL

Kontiki Growth Fund has entered into an agreement for a new loan facility with FijiCare Insurance Limited.
This new facility, at six per cent per annum interest, will substantially reduce the Fund’s expenses.
It would replace the existing loan facilities at 12 per cent per annum interest that were funded through Kontiki Capital Limited.
Kontiki Growth Fund chairman, Daryl Tarte, said, “The decrease in interest rate will be a significant cost saving for Kontiki Growth Fund.
“During 2012, Kontiki Growth Fundhad $21,500 in interest on borrowings. Cutting that in half will saveover $10,000 per annum.”
The new loanagreement is secured by some of Kontiki Growth Fund’s investments in South Pacific Stock Exchange-listed companies.
The agreement is a further step in in the fund’s three-step strategy that it has been following duringthe past year.
These are stabilisation of Kontiki Growth Fund, increasing and extracting value of existing investments, and positioning the fund for emergent opportunities.

The board of directors of the Fiji Hardwood Corporation Limited (FHCL) has terminated the employment of some senior executives.
These include acting chief executive Simione Sigaca, acting chief financial officer Mohammed Rafiq, and personnel officer Netani Koto.
Their departure reflects the need to re-launch Fiji Hardwood as a dynamic company that can compete profitably in the international marketplace.
It is part of the Bainimarama Government’s effort to modernise the Fijian mahogany industry, introduce transparency, and make it profitable.
Also to build the Fijian mahogany brand globally and effectively and transparently manage the nation’s mahogany resource using international standards.
These actions follow recent reviews of reports and plans submitted by The Forestland Group (TFG).
Fiji Hardwood’s senior management will soon have to lead the company through significant changes in the way it conducts its business.

New leadership
The board will shortly be seeking a new leadership team tto implement a new vision for the company and lead employees to achieve that vision.
The new chief executive will be responsible for ensuring the commercial success and sustainability of Fiji’s mahogany plantations.
Also to build a strong brand for Fiji Pure Mahogany under the direction of the Mahogany Industry Council.

Temporary assignments
A number of temporary assignments have been made to ensure proper stewardship over the mahogany forests and manufacturing yards in the interim.
The Vanua Levu Plantation manager for Fiji Hardwood, Lavisai Seroma, has been temporarily relocated to Suva and appointed acting general manager of Forests, effective immediately.
A senior accounts officer, Shobna Lata, from Fiji Hardwood’s Navutu manufacturing yard is being transferred to Suva to work in Fiji Hardwood head office.
The reform of Fiji’s mahogany industry has been a high priority of the Bainimarama Government.
This action represents another step in the process of creating a mahogany industry that is much more profitable and sustainable.
Additionally providing more quality employment for Fijians, and adds prestige to the Fijian mahogany brand.
– MINFO

A worker pours milk into the chilling system at Fiji Dairy Limited Ba Chilling Centre.

By RACHNA LAL

Fiji Dairy Limited has started collecting milk in the Western Division for the Ba Chilling Centre.
Group marketing director, Nathan Hildebrand, confirmed the chillers are up and running at the Southern Cross Foods Limited factory in Ba.
He said the collection started off yesterday and over 1000 litres of milk was collected from around 23 dairy farms from Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki.
“The trucks used to collect milk from the dairy farms were all paid for by Southern Cross Foods,” Mr Hildebrand said.
“The milk will be collected for two days and will be kept in the chilling centre at a reasonable temperature before it gets transported to Suva in chilling trucks every second day.”
Mr Hildebrand said the milk collection means more money going into the pockets of dairy farmers.

Promising start
Mr Hildebrand noted that for a community where dairy farming is quite new, the amount of milk collected was quite promising.
“It’s a good start – not a massive amount but it’s promising. We are impressed with what we have,” he said.
“We can’t start too big too soon. We have more capacity and we want to see more farmers getting into dairy industry.”

By RANOBA BAOA

Fiji’s Occupational Health and Safety laws and regulatory systems was commended by overseas experts.
However highlighted as important is the practice of meeting the laws put in place.
Some 80 representatives from the private and public sector yesterday witnessed the launch of OPS Pacific Company Limited at the Holiday Inn Suva.
The institute offers training, technical services, safety and quality consultancy and is part of the much larger OPS Group.
OPS Atlas International Business Development manager David Ghersci said the principles of the courses they offer are of international best practices that Fijian companies should take advantage of.
“I have looked through the Fijian Occupational Health and Safety and I must complement the persons who compiled it,” Mr Ghersci said.
“The underpinning principles of the legislation draw on most aspects of the UK legislation and this makes a lot of sense because there has to be eventually a global harmonisation.”

Alarming statistics

OPS Pacific vice president Simione Tugi said: “The successful introduction of the institute in Fiji will help reduce the number of deaths and injuries in the workplace in Fiji.”
“Fiji’s deaths in the workplace were alarming compared to the US which has a population of over 300 million people,” Mr Tugi said.
“Data from the last 15 years show that with Fiji’s population is nearing one million people now, the number of deaths in the workplace was 18 with 225 injuries.
“That’s costing around $11 million for the last 15 years. If we collect the number of injuries compared to the number of workforce we have and the population in Fiji it is too much.
“In the US, with over 300 million people, there is estimated 300 deaths per year and that ratio with Fiji is not equal.”

Investment in the institute

The company has invested around $1.5 million putting together the institute, training and other essentials needed to start the institute.
The company will operate mainly in Suva and Lautoka but will look at expanding and investing more in future given the demand of the courses and availability of trainers.
The institute offers certificates and diplomas in various categories.

The Permanent Secretary for Finance, Filimone Waqabaca (front left) seated with the Qatar Director of Public Revenue and Tax Department, Moftah Jassim Al-Moftah . Accompanying them are Fiji’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Ravindran Robin Nair (back left) and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority chief executive, Jitoko Tikolevu (back right) with officials from Qatar Public Revenue and Tax Department.

By RACHNA LAL

Fiji has signed a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with the Government of Qatar.
The agreement means the avoidance of double taxation, where a taxpayer pays taxes in both Fiji and in Qatar.
The agreement was signed by the Permanent Secretary for Finance, Filimone Waqabaca and the Qatar Director of Public Revenue and Tax Department, Moftah Jassim Al-Moftah.
Fiji’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Ravindran Robin Nair, and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority chief executive, Jitoko Tikolevu, were also part of the Fiji delegation.
Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world and the agreement will provide an opportunity for both countries to trade.
Mr Tikolevu said the agreement clearly defines the rule for taxing in both countries.
“Investors will be able to know the exact tax implication of their investment in either country,” he said.
Mr Tikolevu said this will be so as the agreement will clearly spell out the withholding tax rates, treatment for interest, dividend or royalty.
He highlighted investors often look at the tax regime of a country before deciding to invest.
“Therefore, having a DTA is an incentive on its own by attracting foreign investments. It provides certainty to the new investor,” he said.
“The DTA has a lot to offer and we can gain a lot from it in terms of new economic opportunities.”

Fijians in Qatar and more deals
A number of Fijians are already working in Qatar as security officers, pilots, air crew and engineers. They will no longer pay taxes in both Fiji and Qatar.
This is the tenth Double Taxation Agreement signed by the Government of Fiji.
It already has agreements with Australia, New Zealand, Japan, United Kingdom, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and the United Arab Emirates.
Fiji is expected to sign a Double Taxation Agreement with India later this year.

Jasper Williams High School head girl Alesi Adibula, 18, was amongst those at the launch of the Westpac Women Education Grants (Round 4) at the Lautoka Personal Banking Centre yesterday. Photo:LITIA MATHEWSELL

By LITA MATHEWSELL

Westpac launched the fourth round of its Westpac Women Education Grants programmeat the Lautoka Personal Banking Centreyesterday.
This fourth round includes two $500 grants for primary school girls, two $1300 grants for high school girls and two $3500 grants for women at tertiary level and those wanting to return to studies.
This opens opportunities for females to gain financial educational assistance by writing an essay on what they are doing to make a difference in their communities and why.
The applicants are encouraged to fill out and submit their application forms at Westpac branches before the July 19 deadline, with winners to be announced on August 12.
Westpac head of Marketing Nirmala Nambiar said the launch in Lautoka was to encourage more women applicants in the Western Division and raise more awareness on the availability of these grants.
She said the scheme received over 300 applications last year and they were expecting a larger number of applicants this year.
Westpac general manager Adrian Hughes outlined their commitment to the grant and the link it offers between education and the empowerment of women across the region.
‘’Women and girls who benefit from education have far stronger chances of entering the workforce and enjoying a strong and stable career,” he said.
“These grants provide the helping hand they deserve.”

Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki (left) with METFRAME director Philip Pearce (right) at their head office in Lautoka yesterday. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA

By JYOTI PRATIBHA

For new home builders, a new cheaper more resistant option is now available.
Met Frame, a subsidiary company of hardware giant Vinod Patel, has come up with the option of building homes, completely with steel.
Manager of the Steel Division, Phillip Pearce, explained the new technology they are now using will provide Fijians with an affordable option for building their homes.
Mr Pearce said in recent days they had noticed a shortage of timber, which gave them the idea of building homes completely of steel and magnesium oxide boards.
The houses, he claims, would be fire resistant, termite resistant and would withstand a category three cyclone.
“This is the next big thing for Fiji. This technology is new and exclusive to Met Frame,” Mr Pearce said.
While the steel rolls are imported, everything else which goes into building of the houses are entirely Fijian made.
“The houses come with insulated roof, steel stud frame building while the flooring is concrete, however, other options for flooring are being considered as well,” Mr Pearce said.

Met Frame for rehab works
With the recent shortage of timber, there had been a stop on cyclone rehabilitation work.
Commissioner Western Commander JoeliCawaki said they intend to build 800 more homes as part of their rehabilitation work.
He said with the timber shortage, they were now looking at Met Frame to provide materials for rehabilitation work.

By RACHNA LAL

The 2013 Vodafone and Westpac Prime Minister’s Exporter of the Year Awards will be the launched at the Holiday Inn Suva tonight.
This big event for the exporters will be launched by the Attorney-General and Minister for Industry and Trade, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
The event is staged annually by Investment Fiji to acknowledge and reward the contribution exporter’s makes towards enhancing the Fijian economy.
Investment Fiji chief executive, Ravuni Uluilakeba, in a statement said: “The awards are an avenue to reward and provide accolades to Fijian exporters.
“The competition will be declared open at the launch tomorrow (today).
“Investment Fiji will continue to undertake a vigorous role in encouraging participation, as winning an award titles you as one of Fiji’s top exporters.”
The event is one of the longest running awards events in Fiji and will be celebrating its 21st anniversary this year.
Investment Fiji is hoping to receive more applications this year and will work towards staging the event later in November this year.

Theme on par with strategies
The event this year is themed ‘Expanding Beyond the Horizons of Fiji’.
Mr Uluilakeba said this is quite apt as the Fijian Government has undertaken several strategies to ensure that it reached out to a wider market.
“With Missions opening in Brazil, United Arab Emirates and South Korea, our exporters will be challenged to brand Fiji across the globe,” he said.

Big support from sponsors
Vodafone and Westpac have once again joined hands to support the event this year.
They are supported by ten other prominent companies.
Exporters will once again compete to win the main award along with other ten awards, which include the following:
Vodafone and Westpac Prime Minister’s Exporter of the Year Award
Bank of Baroda Small Exporter of the Year Award
LICI Medium Exporter of the Year Award
Home Finance Company Large Exporter of the Year Award
Technix Bitumen Pacific Emerging Exporter of the Year Award
Bank South Pacific Import Substitution Award
Reserve Bank of Fiji Agriculture Exporter of the Year Award
Hangton Pacific Company Fisheries Exporter of the Year Award
Golden Manufacturers Manufacturing Exporter of the Year Award
Tropik Wood Industries Forestry Exporter of the Year Award
Telecom Fiji ICT Services Award

Rodney Fong (standing) and Leanne Bentley (sitting) yesterday. Photo: RAMA

By RANOBA BAOA

Bentley’s Fish and Chips are returning to Suva at the much-awaited Damodar City Complex in Raiwai Suva.
From fish and chips, pizza, slushy drinks and donuts,this will be the core business of business partners Rodney Fong and Leanne Bentley.
They are investing approximately $200,000 in what they hope will be the ideal business venture.
Meanwhile both Mr Fong and Ms Bentley’s original core business is in construction operating the Construction (Fiji) Limited and also partners in Pizza Mia at MHCC in Suva.
The duo, who have always wished to go big in food business are now taking that leap of faith forward.
Three outlets: Pizza Mia, Orbies Donuts, Slushy and Bentley’s Fish and Chips will be opened at Damodar City soon with Pizza Mia being the main outlet.

Bentley’s Fish and Chips
The duo are bringing the once famous Bentley’s Fish and Chips back at the complex which has received blessing from Ms Bentley’s family and approval from Dayanand Damodar.
“Bentley’s was a premier fish and chips outlet in Fiji in the 1980s at the current Harbour Centre,” Mr Fong said.
“A lot of people actually miss it including Mr Damodar, who was a regular customer.
“He actually wanted it revived and with this and the Leanne’s family’s blessing to revive the eatery,” Mr Fong said.

Investor confidence
The investment, they say, has only been possible given the local business owners’ confidence in Government.
“Obviously we’re doing it, so there has to be a certain level of confidence in order for anybody to want to spend $200,000 to $300,000 on food outlets,” Mr Fong said.
“It comes down to confidence with Government. Most importantly, it has to do with confidence in our economy. We know one thing that the Fiji economy will grow.
“We can see things in our Government that is very confident and very economically-driven and we’re going to ride on that and take these risks.”

Slush and donuts
In terms of developing the popularity of assorted-flavoured slushy drinks, the duo are bringing in new equipment from New Zealand also for mobility.
“The slushy machines are Italian so most of the equipment are Italian because of their reliability, they’re more expensive but more reliable,” Mr Fong said.
Ms Fong said: “We believe that having different tastes which are healthy and affordable will give our customers more value for money.”
Slushy drinks are Italian-originated andsometimes known as a slushie or slushy, is a flavoredfrozen drink and famous across the world especially amongst the younger generation.

Pizza Mia
The acquisition of Pizza Mia from recent owners was another step forward for the duo and taking it the complex will play a pivotal role in the business.
Mr Fong said: “Our Pizza makers and Barista here just as good as anywhere else. They are highly trained and they are motivated and enthusiastic.”

By ARISHMA DEVI

Mai Life Magazine has turned six and says it has caught the attention of more than 40,000 local and foreign readers of the monthly publication.
Mai Life Magazine staff and friends will be celebrating its sixth birthday today with a morning tea at its office at Thurston Street in Suva.
Mai Life Magazine publisher Nazia Ali said in just sixth years of publication, the magazine has gained a lot of interested readers.
“We have gained more readers and supporters in the last 18 months,” she said.
“Our Facebook likes increased from 9000 in early 2012 to over 20,000 early this month.”
Ms Ali also expressed the company’s interest in the overseas market mainly among the Fijian diasporas who are interested in reading local stories.
“We are working on making the magazine available online again next month after going through an upgrade,” she revealed.

By LOSIRENE CHAND

As the sugarcane mill in Labasa opens next week, the Malau Port, outside Labasa, will have no difficulty in handling the export of sugar.
Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited Chairman Abdul Khan made these comments and said that the port has the potential to export sugar for this crushing season and the future.
“The Malau Port will have no difficulty handling all the potentially exportable sugar manufactured at Labasa Sugar Mill, both now and into the future,” he said.
Mr Khan said the corporation has not made any plans at all to expand the port nor make another port for the export of sugar from Labasa.
He said during the cane processing season, the sugar is exported from Labasa.
“The export normally works out to once every six weeks and this is also dependent on the requirements of the buyers,” Mr Khan said.
Last week, the Labasa Mill Manager Karia Christopher said the farmers in the North are looking forward for the crushing season and are well prepared.
He said the Labasa Mill is ready for cane processing on the 27th of this month and the mill is well-maintained and ready for cane processing with no technical problems.

By RACHNA LAL

Air Pacific is the only airline in the region which currently stands in the world’s top 100 airlines in the 2013 Skytrax World Airline Awards.
The awards were announced during the Paris Air show this week in France.
Our national airline, which will undergo rebranding next week to Fiji Airways, also moved up one ranking in the world ranking.
It now stands at 95th position as opposed to 96th from last year which is much better than 106th in 2011.
So the airline has basically moved up 11 spots from 2011.
The awards are the most prestigious accolades for the world airline industry and are a global benchmark of airline excellence.
Meanwhile, as the show continues in France, more awards are expected to be announced, including the regional awards.
Air Pacific last year ranked fifth ‘Best Airline in the ‘Australia Pacific Region’.

World top airlines

Looking at the much bigger airlines, Emirates moved up from 8th position last year to become the world’s best airline according to Skytrax.
Qantas also seemed to make a comeback in the top 10 ranking 10th after falling to 15th position last year.
Qantas also took out the accolade for the best Australia Pacific carrier.
Jetstar was named best low cost airline Asia Pacific and second best low cost carrier in the world.
The Skytrax World Airline Awards polled over 18 million business and leisure air travellers from more than 160 countries.

Dairy farmers in the Western Division ready with milk collected to give to staff of Southern Cross Foods Limitied.

By RACHNA LAL

The Ministry of Agriculture feels small dairy farmers in the Western Division have the potential to supply more than 2000 litres of milk daily.
Ministry of Agriculture deputy secretary Uraia Waibuta made these comments on a talk back show on FBC’s Radio Fiji One this week.
A Government statement said Mr Waibuta highlighted the planned realignment of the dairy industry would result in the registration of all small scale dairy farmers.
“After formalisation, these small dairy farmers will be given license to operate their dairy businesses,” Mr Waibuta said.
“In line with this new move by the Agriculture Ministry, we are currently training these small dairy farmers on basic dairy management.”

Sugar farmers
He said almost all sugarcane farmers in the Western Division have between two to five cows which are milked daily.
“They usually collect five to 20 litres of milk daily which is for domestic use and also sold to neighbours,” Mr Waibuta said.
He added that issuing licenses to these small dairy farmers will legalise their dairy production.
“After registering these small farmers, we will then set up milk collection centres for them which will surely boost the industry,” Mr Waibuta said.

Milk collection in West
Meanwhile, Fiji Dairy Limited started with the milk collection in the Western Division on Tuesday.
The milk is being collected from dairy farmers by Southern Cross Foods Limited which owns Fiji Dairy.
It will be kept in the Chilling Centre at Southern Cross Foods in Ba before being sent to Suva.

By RANOBA BAOA

Mai Life magazine is expanding its reach by going digital again and producing a separate quarterly magazine to tap into Fiji’s backbone, tourism.
This came to light as the publication celebrated six years of operations yesterday.
Friends, contributing writers, avid readers and corporate partners joined the team in celebrating the milestone year for the company.
Mai Life publisher, Naziah Ali, said: “Our priority is to expand the magazine to go into digital format so we’re trying to get more readership out of Fiji.”

More pages and new magazine
Ms Ali also said they were look at more pages and an additional quarterly magazine that will come out in the next couple of months that looks at properties, travel and tourism.”
“We find that when we cover tourism, we basically sell the magazine. So that in itself speaks volumes that that’s an excellent platform.”
In doing so, the company has employed the services of an Indian as a new editor, Harpreet Bhagrath.
“He is here to help us rebuild the magazine. It took us a bit of time to find what we wanted, have our footing,” she said.
“I think we’re ready to take on a different approach and see how we can expand the magazine in general.
“That’s what we’re trying to do. Bring experience from outside who’s experienced in not only travel but also running magazines in general.”

Staff of P.Meghji’s new investment, The Lounge restaurant and bar in Lautoka yesterday. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA

By LITIA MATHEWSELL

Lautoka’s culinary scene yesterday received an exciting addition with the opening of The Lounge by the P. Meghji Trading Limited Group.
The top-notch restaurant and bar specialises in Mexican, Italian and Japanese cuisine and is already registered as an A-grade eatery from authorities.
It includes an enclosed room for private dining.
The restaurant received positive feedback from the large numbers of Lautoka’s business community that attended the opening ceremony.
Company chief executive, Anthony Pereira, said their goals included luring tourists from Nadi, particularly Denarau, to enjoy the restaurant and adjoining luxury spa.
His sentiments were echoed by Lautoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry administrator Mohammed Salim.
Mr Salim said such a high-end facility would boost their efforts to provide enjoyable activities for tourists in the Sugar City.
Lautoka special administrator Praveen Bala said since the law was enforced in April for restaurants to be graded, there had been widespread effort from eatery owners around the city to upgrade their standards.
Mr Bala said The Lounge was a glowing example of these efforts.
He also hinted to an impending large-scale project between the Lautoka City Council and the P. Meghji group, which is believed to be the establishment of a new hotel in Lautoka.

Government funding to boost marketing

The Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade, Shaheen Ali, hands over a cheque of $100,000 to the president of the Textile Clothing and Footwear Council president, Kalpesh Solanki, on behalf of Government. Photo: RAMA

By RACHNA LAL

The Textile Clothing and Footwear Council of Fiji has indicated interest in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) countries as a good secondary market.
Council president, Kalpesh Solanki, said currently, almost 80 to 85 per cent of the council’s members export is to Australia.
“Few of our members have already started doing business and we hope we continue working with the Government on exploring that market region as well,” he said.
Mr Solanki said they are also hoping to get some preferential access in the US on which discussions are also ongoing.
“We do hope that in the next three years, we will be able to penetrate that market once again,” he said.
“Not so much in the low cost high volume areas but more in niche markets.”

Government funding
The sector continues to receive support from Government.
The Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade, Shaheen Ali, yesterday handed over $100,000 to Mr Solanki for the council on behalf of Government.
He said this fund was for marketing support of the sector under the broader policy of National Export Strategy as per the commitment by Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
Mr Ali said this commitment had been ongoing for the past three years and will continue from 2013 to 2015.

Overcoming challenges
Mr Ali acknowledged that the textile clothing and footwear industry in Fiji continues under considerable amount of challenges.
“In terms of its market, it has had to reorganise itself,” he said.
“In fact it was the second largest foreign revenue earner. It has consolidated, it has had to reorgansie itself and become more streamlined, more timely conscious, more focused, more flexible.
“It has to look at new markets beyond traditional markets such as the US and European Union.”
Mr Ali said this marketing support fund would help the industry reorganise, become more durable and flexible in the face of growing challenges.

International competition
Mr Ali said it was not possible to compete with high volume, large order or low value items.
“In terms of that, Asia has the competitive advantage and countries like Bangladesh that are coming on the scene,” he said.
“Fiji is more oriented towards the niche markets and this is what the council has been trying to capitalise on.”

Benefits from funding
Mr Solanki highlighted how the council had benefited from the $300,000 marketing grant received over the last three years.
“We have managed to get $12 million worth of sales annually on average with probably just over $10 million investment in plant, equipment,” he said.
Mr Solanki said this was done through building the confidence generated through the marketing committee.
He revealed over 500 new jobs had been created in the three year period.
“This is despite very challenging international condition experiencing in the last few years,” he said.

Nukudamu villagers who are employees of Matai Holdings at Udu Point with their families meet with Matai Holdings Exploration manager, Stewart Capp (back second left).

By RACHNA LAL

Matai Holdings (Fiji) Limited, the company carrying out exploration at Udu Point in Vanua Levu, has over the last seven years, assisted nearby Nukudamu Village in more than one way.
The village is located in the far North of Udu Point and has no road access.
It is so remote that village children have to board at either Udu District School or Duavata Secondary School, about an hour and half boat ride from Nukudamu.
While its isolation has been a hindrance towards development, Matai Holdings’ exploration site being located a short walking distance from the village has had its own benefits.
The company has contributed to the well-being of the villagers as it has progressed it’s exploration work.
Village head, Etuate Lokasi, the Turaga ni Mataqali ko Dokoanisuva, said the villagers welcomed Matai onto the site and have been helped “in so many ways”.

Employment opportunities
Mr Lokasi highlighted 23 people, 12 men and 11 women, from the village have been given employment at the exploration site.
“It has meant steady income and has resulted in many of the workers now having savings accounts, with Matai’s help,” he said.
“This is the first time ever that we have had the funds to plan for the future.”
Mr Lokasi said each of the 20 houses in the village now has tap water and some with flush toilets because of the generosity of Matai Holdings.
“Matai Holdings operates a boat used to bring supplies and personnel from Labasa, a two and half hour boat trip and villagers have been included,” he said.
“Of course there are so many other ways they have helped especially for church and families.  They have been good corporate citizens.”

Improving school water
Most recently Matai Holdings has committed to improving the water system at Udu District School following a request from its Principal last year.
Matai Holdings Exploration manager, Stewart Capp, said work should begin shortly with the drilling of a bore hole by the Mineral Resources Department on the school compound.
Matai will donate a solar pump and piping to ensure a constant supply of water to the school.
“Matai Holdings has been looking for ways to assist the school to rectify their hygiene issues and therefore assist the community of Udu Point to receive a quality education,” Mr Capp said.
“This is especially significant for the Nukudamu children as they board at the school and are the most exposed to the potential health issues.
“The provision of water to the existing toilet block will address the immediate hygienic issues which have threatened the school with closure during dry periods.
“We are proud of the relationship we have developed with the people of Udu Point and look forward to developing this partnership as we progress our mineral exploration in the area.”

Exploration works
In April this year, phase two of the Nukudamu Polymetallic metal project on Udu Point commenced.
The site is said to have high volumes of prospective copper and zinc deposits.
Matai Holdings is the Fijian company for Dateline Resources Limited and has been exploring for copper and zinc deposits since 1996.