RB Patel Group Limited is pleased to announce it has despatched all payments for the Final Interim Dividend of 10 cents per share declared on the 30th of July 2013 that is to be paid on 27th August 2013.
This will bring the total dividends paid for the year to 14 cents per share.
This will be the sixth consecutive year the company has maintained its dividend at 14 cents per share.
The company has also released for its Annual Report for 2013 and shareholders will receive these with the dividend payment.
The company’s sales revenue (sales) increased to $100,258,179 from $93,678,495, last year, an increase of seven per cent.
Gross margin at $19,395,414 is up from $17,077,739 for last year, an increase of 13.6 per cent.
Net before tax for the current year is $6,364,222 compared to last year’s result of $5,671,175, an increase of 12.2 per cent.

–RB Patel Group Limited

The Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama receives the cheque from Fiji Pine Group of Companies executive chairman Faiz Khan (left) yesterday. Photo: RANOBA BAOA

By RANOBA BAOA

Fiji Pine Limited managed to pay off its $2.4 million Government loan in just three months. It showed signs of outstanding recovery since the reforms following the company’s previous mismanagement issues.
The loan was used to pay off a 28-year old debt from the European Investment Bank.
In a brief press conference yesterday, Fiji Pine Group of Companies executive chairman, Faiz Khan, officially handed over the cheque to the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
The exchange was made at the Prime Minister’s Office with the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum also present.
Mr Khan said Government had stepped in to assist Fiji Pine when the debt was due payment.
“We have been able to clear a debt that has been on our books for almost three decades,” Mr Khan said.
The company had undergone a number of unfortunate incidents under previous management.
However despite ‘plagues of the past’, as Mr Khan puts it, the company is very optimistic about moving forward.
“We have been plagued by a lot of burdens of the past. And if you look at our debt levels, most of the debt that was taken in the 80s and 90s are still sitting in our books,” Mr Khan said.
“Now, we believe that we are in a comfortable position and we can start focusing on the future with much more firm aggression, I guess, rather than simply trying to look at the future in a staggered fashion, so that’s the significance.”

PM commends Fiji Pine

The Prime Minister commended the state-owned enterprise for having re paid the loan within a matter of three months.
“I can’t recall another occasion when a state-owned enterprise has paid off an outstanding amount to Government so quickly,” Commodore Bainimarama said.
“It’s a great credit to the Board, management and workers and a clear sign of the success of our reform programme at Fiji Pine”, he said.
Additionally, Mr Khan noted that over the past two and half years, the company has been able to pay off about $25 million debt.
“What we have done over the last two-and-half odd years is pay off about $25 million of debt.
“So that’s the level of debt-financing we  have done and another $25 million of that about $17.5 million has gone into the principal portion of the debt and the balance of $7 odd million is the interest portion of the debt.
“The significance of this is we’ve been trying hard, and been doing well but had been burdened by the past,” he stated.
Mr Khan confirmed the company still has loans on its books dating back to previous management and former governments.
“We have some loan from Government still sitting in our books, about $12 million,” he said.

Future outlook

In the meanwhile, as far as the future is concerned, the company is doing a number of capital projects for a sustainable future and investing around $350,000 on this.
“One thing I’m really looking forward to is the upgrades of the toilets and showers and the canteen facilities that we have in our factory sites,” he said.
“For too long, we neglected our human assets. We are nothing without our workers and a large part of the credit belongs to them.”
The workers will be provided with subsidised meals and the company will be improving their general work environment with new toilets and shower facilities.
“This is one of the most exciting priorities on our list of current work”, he said.

By RANOBA BAOA

Viti Mining Limited is shipping 2500-tonne trial shipment of manganese ore to Australian-based BHP Tasmanian Electro Metallurgic Company (TEMCO).
This after the company was given a licence to mine on its Special Prospecting Licenses (SPL) for manganese ore in Nasaucoko on Vorovorobitu deposit site this year.
500 tonnes of this will be first sent on September 14 from Lautoka.
This was confirmed by Viti Mining chief financial controller, Wilson Michael.
“If this is successful then it leads to longer terms of supply contract. We are targeting as much as 5000 tonnes per month to ship to TEMCO once we’re up fully operational on mining next year,” Mr Michael said.
And with BHP TEMCO considering Fiji as one of the smaller supply countries in the region, Mr Michael said this was huge for the company.
“For Viti Mining to secure an arrangement like that with BHP is signficant . It puts us on the map as a supplier. And it also helps with continuing of development in mining in Fiji.”
Prior to mining approval on its tenement deposit site, the company had been exploration since it started in 2006.
“For the past few years, what we’ve been doing is preparing in exploration, securing permits and licences. And now we’ve got the approval for production.”
In preparation for its first shipment next month, the company is preparing the manganese ore deposits on its deposit site.
“We’ve manually dressed, meaning that broken the ore down into smaller sizes. Dressing is just chipping away the silica that’s attached to the ore, removing the non-manganese ore parts.”
Additionally the Viti Mining is waiting on more of its equipment to arrive in order to speed up production and ready it when it becomes fully operational in terms of mining.
“We’re continuing infrastructure development on the ground. When our mechanical plant arrives, we will then begin production for about 5000 tonnes a month. So we anticipate that by December the equipment will be installed and everything needed will be ready,” he said.

The country’s biggest brewery operator Paradise Beverages (Fiji) Limited is buying the Vonu beer brands from Vonu Holdings Limited. Vonu is produced from a micro brewery near Nadi Airport.
Walu Bay-based Paradise Beverages and Vonu Holdings Limited have negotiated the sale and purchase of the ‘Vonu Brands’ throughout the world, including in Fiji for NZD $5 million (approximately FJ$7.4 million)
Paradise Beverages will purchase certain intellectual property assets of VHL which includes all of the goodwill and intellectual property rights in and associated with the trademarks and any other beer brands (whether registered or unregistered) owned by Vonu Holdings, including all rights to the well-known ‘Vonu’ beer brand.
Paradise Beverages and Vonu Holdings have agreed all terms and conditions are now in the process of finalsing the sale and purchase agreement and have received the approval of the Fiji Commerce Commission for the transaction.
The board of directors of Paradise Beverages have met and resolved to enter into the sale and purchase agreement.
Vonu Holdings approached Paradise Beverages to purchase the Vonu Brands as Vonu Holdings considers that the transaction will be benefi cial to the future development and growth of the Vonu Brands in Fiji and export markets.
Paradise Beverages intends to materially increase the volume of the Vonu Brands in Fiji and export markets.
Paradise Beverages and Vonu Holdings expect to complete the transaction shortly.
–PARADISE BEVERAGES LIMITED

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests, Lieutenant-Colonel Inia Seruiratu (second row, fifth from left), Fiji Holdings Limited chairman Iowane Naiveli (second row, third from right), Acting Australian Head of Mission, Glen Miles, and members of Lime Task Force and stakeholders. In front of them are samples of the 40kg Aglime bags that will be available immediately. Photo: MINFO NEWS

By RANOBA BAOA

The newly launched local agriculture lime – known as Aglime – has been dubbed by Minister for Agriculture Lieutenant-Colonel Inia Seruiratu as the catalyst for farming efficiency in Fiji.
With it manufactured locally for the first time, farmers can now breathe a sigh of relief as the price of such imported lime has been too much for many to afford.
Now farmers could pay less than half the cost of imported agriculture lime.
Lime is the ingredient used to reduce the acidity of soil, an ongoing problem for farmers in the country.
The new product was developed by Standard Concrete Industries Limited (SCI) in partnership with the Market Development Facility (MDF), AusAID’s job creation and income generation programme for the poor.
In launching the product, Lieutenant-Colonel Inia Seruiratu said: “There has not been a local manufacturer of aglime in Fiji and whatever little aglime that has been used in Fiji have all been imported.”
“This locally made product could very well be the catalyst to increase efficiency.”
He commended the works done by both companies to help improve farm yields.
Basic Industries Limited is the holding company for Standard Concrete Industries Ltd, which is the subsidiary company for Fijian Holdings Limited.
The Aglime sold at 40kg will only cost $10 when compared to imported ones which costs between $30 to $40 or otherwise can be bought in bulk.
It is now available at Standard Concrete depot in Wailotua while it will soon be available at other Standard Concrete depots around the country including Nasinu, Lautoka and Labasa.
Chairman notes relevance Addressing a number of key stakeholders together with future distributors of the product in Fiji, Fijian Holdings Limited chairman Iowane Naiveli noted the relevance of manufacturing the product.
“The local agriculture industry is very important to Fijian Holdings because the majority of our shareholders are engaged in this sector,” Mr Naiveli said.
“The introduction of locally manufactured
Aglime in Fiji by one of our very own subsidiary companies will therefore create an additional return on investment for our shareholders.
Not only will they continue to receive dividends on their investment in Fijian Holdings but will now also enjoy agricultural benefits of locally manufactured Aglime.”

Landowners
Mr Naiveli thanked the landowners of Wailotua on which the lime is extracted and where production is being made.
Acting Australian Head of Mission in Fiji Glen Miles said the Aglime product will provide for a more sustainable agriculture and rural development towards tackling rural poverty.

Digicel & Unwired’s flagship branch at Cumming Street corner in Suva. Photo: RAMA

By MARAIA VULA

The new Digicel & Unwired flagship outlet is all about establishing the company’s footprints in Suva City.
The official opening of the refurbished retail shop at the corner of Cumming Street is part of Unwired Fiji’s plans to create public awareness on their products and services.
This is the second phase of upgrade works at the Suva base station that will provide customers with a better experience and also expand their customer base.
Head of Unwired Fiji, Charlotte Taylor, said: “This new outlet has established our footprints and our determination to reach and meet our customer’s also different clientals demand.”
Unwired is part of Digicel Fiji and competes with Vodafone Fiji data services. It has 3G and 4G.
Unwired Fiji 4G network covers the Lami, Suva, Nausori, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka and Ba.
“The refurbishment project started earlier this month costing Unwired Fiji over half a million dollars and is scheduled to finish in mid-September,” she said.
Currently there are phases one, two and three. The latter will concentrate on Unwired’s future plans.
Ms Taylor said there are future plans to move the network forward but they would concentrate on the upgrades first.

The ANZ House in Suva. Photo: RAMA

ANZ will be investing close to $9 million to upgrade ANZ House in Suva which now houses its Pacific and Fiji headquarters along with its main Fijian retail branch.
ANZ Fiji acting chief executive, Rakesh Ram, described this as an important investment for the bank’s customers and staff.
“It is also an essential upgrade to appropriately incorporate our new Pacific Headquarters and existing Fiji Headquarters into our premises,” he said in a statement.
“The property upgrade is being carried out in line with the ANZ Global Corporate Guidelines.
“We have endeavoured to support local Fiji businesses by purchasing as much as possible in-country.”
The ANZ House upgrade will be completed by December 2013.
Earlier this year, ANZ shifted its Pacific Headquarters from Melbourne to Suva, taking advantage of Government incentives for global organisations to establish their regional headquarters in Fiji.
– ANZ FIJI

By SERUWAIA WAQASAQA

A poultry farmer in the North will today start processing more chickens to be sold in the retail market from next week.
Ian Chute, who lives on his farm in Seaqaqa, will process another batch of 600 chickens.
Mr Chute claims the Chute Chicken is the only chicken which is processed in the North.
“Chute chicken has been sold in supermarkets for months now and it is only sold at Shop N Save supermarket,” he said.
“Customers in Labasa can expect more chicken in the supermarket shelves next week.”
Integrated Human Resources Development Programme project manager Aslam Khan earlier said this poultry farming will encourage other smallholder farmers to enter into layering and meat bird production.
“This idea was brought up to meet the needs of the people in the Labasa and it is a way of one processing in the North when crest chicken run out in supermarkets,” he said.

Sigavou farmers group with their display at the Ra Agriculture Show yesterday. Photo: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

By RACHNA LAL

People from around the Province of Ra converged in Rakiraki Town yesterday to celebrate the one-day agriculture show organised by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Ropate Ligairi, said this show would set the platform for the upcoming Crest 2013 Agriculture Show to be staged in Lautoka next week.
“This show will open up more minds especially for the young people who are thinking of taking up agricultural activities in the future,” Mr Ligairi said.
“The Rakiraki Agriculture Show is one of the many mini agriculture shows held around the country which showcases the different programmes and activities the Ministry has to offer to the farming communities.
“The show is also aimed at integrating with non-government organisations, companies, financial institutes, tertiary institutes and line ministries to showcase their different programmes.
“Also how they can link with agriculture to empower farmers and the rural people that depend on agriculture as a major source of livelihood for their families.”
The show ended yesterday afternoon with presentation of prizes to farmers for their hard work and commitment.

Show in Lautoka
2013 Crest Agriculture Show Secretariat, Nacanieli Takele, said the planning for the show in Lautoka was coming along well.
He said they have a range activities planned for the event which will run from September 3 to 7 at Churchill Park.
One of the attractions Mr Takele said would be the display from the Department of Fisheries and Forests who would have something different this year.

By RACHNA LAL

Venu Shipping has slashed fares for MV Suilven’s first trip to Savusavu which is later today.
The company has confirmed the fare from Suva to Savusavu for one way will be only $39 per person and would be the same for Savusavu to Suva.
Venu Shipping said this was because they want people to see what the refurbished Suilven has to offer to the people of Fiji.
Whilst people can buy their tickets at any Venu Shipping outlet, the company says they will also be selling the tickets at the ship.
MV Suilven will depart from Port Mua-i-Walu at Walu Bay in Suva at 5pm today heading to Savusavu and similarly, it will depart Savusavu at 8pm on Saturday for Suva.
A bus will be provided at Savusavu for those wanting to travel to Labasa with an additional fare of $8 per person.
MV Suilven will resume services after being out of action for almost two years.

By RACHNA LAL

Paradise Beverages (Fiji) Limited, the former Foster’s Group Pacific Limited, has commenced with its $44 million capital investment plan.
This was indicated by the company as it released the group’s unaudited financial results for the year ended June 30, 2013.
The company said this $44-million investment, by the new owners, will address many years of under-investment in the business.
The investment will include the upgrade of aged plant and equipment where appropriate across the Group’s four manufacturing sites.
This is aimed to improve product quality, deliver manufacturing efficiencies and deliver a platform for future growth, including export.
Paradise Beverages Pacific Operations general manager, Anthony Scanlan, said the investment would be funded through operating cash-flows and bank funding.
“For the year ended June 30, 2013, the group invested approximately $3.7 million, with further investment planned for the second half of 2013 of up to $25 million,” he said.
“This includes a major upgrade of Paradise Beverages’ Suva brewery and additional capital expansion including increased rum barrel storage at the Lautoka distillery.”

Financial performance
Meanwhile, Paradise Beverages’ recorded improved performance in what it described as a “challenging environment”.
Overall, the group’s consolidated sales revenue increased by 9.3 per cent driven by price increases and sales volume growth.
Its consolidated net profit after tax increased by 67 per cent whereby it recorded $7.27 million as profit for 2013 compared to $4.36 million in 2012.
Mr Scanlan said given the funding requirements for the $44 million “investing for growth” capital investment programme, the directors had recommended that not no dividend should be paid for the year ended June 30, 2013.

A-G urges parents to start saving for future

The Attorney-General and acting Prime Minister and acting Minister for Finance, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (right) receives a dividend cheque from the chairperson of Unit Trust of Fiji, Shaenaz Voss yesterday. Photo: RAMA

By RACHNA LAL

Unit Trust of Fiji yesterday launched its newest product ‘Income Fund’ which generally caters for children in schools.
People have the choice of either investing in ‘Children Investment Plan’ which is for children (below 18 years) or the ‘Income Plus Plan’ for those above 18 years.
The product was launched by the Attorney-General and acting Prime Minister and acting Minister for Finance, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
A memorandum of understanding was also signed with the Ministry of Education, which will be responsible for encouraging students to start ‘investing’ through this new product.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said this new product provides a unique opportunity for small-time savers and also gives people the opportunity to invest in the future.
“Normally in Fiji, when you use the word investment, people with little amount of money think they cannot invest,” he said.
“But this essentially gives an opportunity to invest for the future as you can start with a small amount and you get a return on your investment.
“So if you start off with your child in primary school, and put $20 into their account every month, by the time they reach form seven, they would have a healthy amount of money for which you will be getting good interest rate.
“You can cash it in when your child reaches form seven and you will be able to pay for tertiary institute.”
Investing in product

Unit Trust of Fiji chairperson, Shaenaz Voss, said with the agreement, they will work hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Education to educate students of this product.
She said the minimum starting amount is $20 for ‘Children Investment Plan’ and $50 for ‘Income Plus Plan’ and thereafter, people can put in whatever amount they want to.
An interest rate of 3.65 per cent per annum has been decided.
The Unit Trust of Fiji also handed over a dividend cheque of $113,564 to Government.

Minister for Agriculture, Lieutenant-Colonel Inia Seruiratu unveils the plaque which will be set in stone to mark the opening of Awesome Chicks Supplies farm in Tavarau, Ba. Photo: RAEVENN BREEN

By LITIA MATHEWSELL

Awesome Chicks Supplies has been hailed for its exemplary work in utilising land and opening economic opportunities in Tavarau, Ba.
The Minister for Agriculture, Lieutenant-Colonel Inia Seruiratu, officiated the ground breaking ceremony of Awesome Chicks Supplies’ breeder farm on Thursday.
He urged others to boldly follow suit by investing in fields of their interest and involvement.
The company is owned by Christine and Rai Prakash, who have invested close to $750,000 in this venture along with almost two decades of expertise in this area.
The couple are permitted to set up five sheds but plan to begin with two as construction gets underway in a month.
Mr Prakash said they plan to have 2000 breeders per shed and are importing the first batch of 2000 chicks from New Zealand.
His business plans have received assistance from the Fiji Development Bank and the Government and he hopes to begin operations by next year, employing over 20 people.
Lieutenant-Colonel Seruiratu said the provision of such economic opportunities was a shared responsibility between Government and the community.
He stressed that such a venture gave them confidence of their programmes being well utilised.
‘’Govern ment can bring the best of technology, funding and available information but people need the willingness and attitude to expand or it will be an exercise in vain,’’ he said.

A total of 3306 homes are scheduled for insurance re-evaluation this year of which 70 per cent are complete.
Housing Authority chief executive Alipate Naiorosui said: “Our homeowners are covered under a Group Housing Insurance Policy that provides protection against fire, flood, cyclone or earthquake damage.
“The inspection and re-valuation every two years ensures the homes’ current market and replacement value has been correctly captured.”
Currently less than 30 per cent or 990 homes remain to be re-valued which also include homes under Village Housing Schemes in the West and Northern divisions.
“The progress of the inspections is on schedule and is expected to be completed by the end of September, after which Housing Authority will renew the insurance policy that will ultimately benefit all of our homeowners,” Mr Naiorosui said.
As part of this inspection process, Housing Authority also uses the opportunity to identify breaches of lease conditions such as subletting without consent or unapproved extensions.
It also updates and corrects homeowners’ contact details and identifies land only customers who have not built within the required two year period.
Homeowners can choose to pay for the valuations fees up front or have these charged to their accounts and also have the option to get a copy of their updated market valuation reports.
Housing Authority has also taken the initiative to advise customers who have paid off home loan accounts or are about to pay their accounts off to re-insure their properties as a precaution.
A valid insurance policy with the appropriate cover can assist with rebuilding to the actual replacement value of the home should an unexpected event occur.
– HOUSING AUTHORITY OF FIJI

By RACHNA LAL

The Reserve Bank of Fiji’s mid–year business expectations and retail sales surveys has shown further improvements in business and investor confidence.
This has been revealed by the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Barry Whiteside.
Mr Whiteside further highlighted indications for a continuation of the robust economic activity well into next year.
Therefore, the board of the central bank has agreed to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate at 0.5 per cent.
Mr Whiteside said the current accommodative monetary policy stance remains appropriate to support domestic growth in light of the weak global economic environment.
The Reserve Bank of Fiji has noted the domestic economy has shown great resilience so far for expansion of 3.2 per cent this year with generally positive sectoral performances.
Mr Whiteside said sectoral performances are generally positive with sugar, tourism, timber and garment sectors experiencing increased output.
He however said the gold and fishing sectors show declines.

Further impetus
Mr Whiteside said the financial remains awash with liquidity and lending rates are at historical low.
This, he said, provided further impetus for economic activity as commercial bank credit growth accelerated by 14.6 per cent in the twelve months to July this year.
“The improved prospects noted in the United States and the Euro zone economy is welcoming,” he said.
Mr Whiteside however said the continued deceleration and vulnerabilities in the emerging and developing economies is expected to keep global economic activity muted throughout this year.
The Reserve Bank’s twin objectives remain intact.
Inflation was noted at 1.9 per cent in July while foreign reserves were around $1,834 million yesterday, sufficient to cover 5.1 months of retained imports of goods and non-factor services.

These cows in Tailevu are helping to grow the Dairy Industry. Photo: FIJI CO-OPERATIVE DAIRY COMPANY LIMITED

With expanding services by the Fiji Co-operative Dairy Company Limited, there has been a marked increase in premium milk produced by its farmers.
Fiji Co-operative Dairy Company Limited chief executive, Sachida Nand said, the confidence Government has shown in creating the co-operative and with its continuing support is an affirmation “that we are doing something right.”
He said this despite there was a long way to go to get the dairy industry to its full potential.
Mr Nand said the target by 2015 was to produce 15 million litres of milk a year, and with the start up of the UNI Farm operated by the Fiji National University in Navua that number is now workable.
In October/November 2012, premium produced was close to 45 per cent.

The creation of co-operative
Fiji Co-operative Dairy Company was created by the Dairy Restructure Decree of December 2010.
It was setup so that all farmers in Fiji supply all of their milk through Fiji Co-operative Dairy Company to the processing company Fiji Dairy Limited (formerly Rewa Dairy).
“This ensures all farmers through the Decree, big or small get a fair go, with Fiji Co-operative Dairy Company providing advisory services, feed, and equipment as required,” Mr Nand said.
“There are some who believe that supporting the big dairy farmers while leaving the smaller behind is the way to go.”
“At the co-operative we work with all our 256 farmers to increase milk production and improve their livelihoods.
“Through improved efficiency and commitment, and a range of services provided by us, we see a marked improvement by almost all the farmers.”

A questionable past
Mr Nand acknowledged the dairy industry had a questionable past.
“But today, we are transparent.  Anyone can look at our books.  We are tightly audited and believe me every dollar can be accounted for.  And this is essential,” he said.
“It is the hard work of the dairy farmer that flows through our books.  It is the farmers money that makes this all happen and there efforts must be protected.”
Mr Nand said FCDCL continues to work with the farmers to improve its services.

Fruits of initiative
A more recent initiative is already paying dividends.
It has recently introduced an incentive scheme to increase the quantity of the top grade of raw milk, premium.
This is an incentive programme that rewards the farmer a one-cent bonus on every litre if he can produce premium milk continually over a four-week period.
“Premium milk is the highest grade produced, with the farmers receiving 90 cents a litre for this quality product,” Mr Nand said.
“First grade milk only pays 75 cents a litre.  So the successful farmer is not only earning top dollar for his efforts, but also the one-cent bonus and it is working.
“Since we started the incentive plan close to half of our members have qualified for the one-cent bonus, our target is to exceed 90 per cent.
“I believe that I can say with confidence that this is a young refreshed dairy industry, with a new enthusiasm. We applaud the Government’s for creating the co-operative.”
– FIJI CO-OPERATIVE DAIRY COMPANY LIMITED

Carptrac Institute service training manager, Ezra Williams (right) and Workshop Foreman, Vetaia Turagabeci (second left) with technicians working on a machinery as part of the training at Carptrac Fiji office yesterday. Photo: PAULINI RATULAILAI

By MARAIA VULA

The oldest caterpillar dealership in Fiji, Carptrac, a division of Carpenters Group, is investing in providing caterpillar training.
The Carptrac Institute training programme is an investment aimed at improving skills for young apprentices.
Carptrac Manager Ivan Lauri said: “This will benefit our young guys to become highly-qualified.
“The training is similar to Fiji National University’s standard training.”
All caterpillar dealers have special training programmes to facilitate the growing demand in their dealerships.
Mr Lauri said: “Caterpillar specialist Ezra Williams will be facilitating the three-year training programme.
Mr Williams is from Savusavu and  an employee at Carptrac for the last 17 years residing in Australia.
“It will be a good experience for me sharing my experiences and giving back to the community especially after living abroad,”Mr Williams said.
Mr Lauri said specific caterpillar training is standard and it will be available to apprentices and clientals who wish to apply with minimum qualifications.
“The benefits of this programme is at the end, apprentices will be offered employment here at Carptrac with a highly-recognised certificate in caterpillar mechanics,” he said.
Last year Carptrac hired three apprentices. The in-depth training will flow in the next four years after an advertisement is put out by the Carpenters Group.

Permanent Secretary for Industrya nd Trade, Shaheen Ali.

By RACHNA LAL

As works towards a Trade Policy Framework continues, it has been stressed this would help Fiji analayse all policies that will impact businesses here before Government adopts them.
The Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade, Shaheen Ali, made these comments as the ministry prepares to convene a national workshop on September 13 and 14.
“For example, when Government reviews its import tariff structure, the multi-stakeholder committee will analyse the implications of any new policies,” he said.
“This can be in terms of revenue and impact on businesses, jobs and on the broader community and provide its recommendations to the Minister for Industry and Trade.”
The workshop would provide an opportunity for Fijian stakeholders to discuss and give their views on Fiji’s first Trade Policy Framework.
Mr Ali said: “The meeting will bring all the relevant stakeholders to identify Fiji’s trade challenges, opportunities and priorities and develop a comprehensive Trade Policy Framework.
“This would be on how to ‘connect all the dots’ and address all the production, and supply-side constraints.”

Rightful place as hub
Mr Ali said this will be done with the ultimate objective of enhancing Fiji’s competitiveness in international trade and maximising the development benefits for the people of Fiji.
“The Trade Policy Framework will help confirm Fiji’s rightful place as the trade hub of the Pacific,” he said.
“It will utilise trade as a powerful tool to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development.”

Government’s commitment
Mr Ali said the workshop is indicative of the Bainimarama Government’s commitment in ensuring that an inclusive and practical Trade Policy Framework is put in place.
“This will form the blue print for Fiji on becoming a more competitive and dynamic economy,” he said.

The newly-wed couple Alita (middle) and Justin Schaller (right) on Fiji’s first submarine The Sea View which is yet to be launched. Photo SHEIK DEAN

By SHEIK DEAN

Yet another unique wedding took place in Fiji – this time staged on the deck of the country’s first submarine.
The wedding saw Australian couple tying the knot on a yet-to-be launched submarine The Sea View in Port Denarau Marina on Denarau Island in Nadi.
For the newly-weds, Alita and Justin Schaller who met on the famous social networking site Facebook six years ago, they were on Cloud 9 to be wed in ‘beautiful’ Fiji.
“We have heard so much about Fiji and we decided why not a wedding in paradise? It is our first time in Fiji and we are overwhelmed with the wedding setup,” Mr Schaller said.
“The experience has been amazing – having a wedding on Fiji’s first submarine built in Fiji.
“Organising a wedding like this would have been very hard but with the help of I Do Fiji, everything went smoothly.”

Wedding planner

I Do Fiji, a wedding planner based in Australia, was behind staging this dream wedding for the couple.
Director Sam Prasad said weddings are now a bar coded financial hole facing couples in Australia and in other developed countries.
“A survey in 2012 from ‘Bride to Be’ found that brides spend an average of 220 hours browsing, visiting and planning their weddings,” he said.
“Squeaking sand between toes, balmy weather, sound of lapping waves and sweet smell of frangipani are so much fun. Our weddings are planned in Australia and executed in Fiji.
Mr Prasad said he stages weddings in Fiji because of the love for his home country.

A solutions driven approach

Seated front from left: Nouzab Fareed, Dr Nur Bano Ali, Hari Punja. Standing from left: Adrian Hughes, Peter Savona, Jinita Prasad, Sunil Sharma, Jacquelyn Terry, Arvin Maharaj, Marigold Moody and Maurice McCarthy.

Compiled by RACHNA LAL and
RANOBA BAOA

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

Third year running now and the Fiji Business Forum has proven to be a huge success.
The forum, which will be held today at the Holiday Inn Suva, brings together representatives from the private sector and the public sector to discuss issues and map the way forward.
Suva Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Dr Nur Bano Ali, said the forum this year has been inspired by the chamber’s previous successes.
“We once again bring you an interactive and practical event designed to foster business and investment from a solutions-driven approach,” she said.
“We have put together a sharp and focused programme on a few topical and relevant subjects which features government and business leaders as discussants.
“They would examine and articulate the processes of both sides for better comprehension.
“Then to enable mutually defined solutions for improved business performance , translating into higher levels of economic performance which is the common goal of all participants in this arena.”
So whilst forums sometimes tend to become more of a ‘talk-fest’, the same cannot be said about the Fiji Business Forum.
It is kept short, focused and straight to the point.
Dr Ali, indicated Government has taken note of previous discussions, and there has been some policy changes as a result.
“After the past two forums, we have been able to change and influence certain policies such as the credit guarantee scheme, for the small businesses that is a direct result out of that,” she said.
“We’ve been able to correct tax losses carried forward situation so there are positive results out of that.”
The Fiji Business Forum will be opened by the Attorney-General and Minister for Industry and Trade, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who has dedicated his entire day to this forum.
Approximately 150 to 200 participants are expected to attend the event and stimulate discussions on the formulation of trade policies for fostering business prosperity.

Questions for Suva Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Dr Nur Bano Ali and chairman for the Fiji Business Forum, Arvin Maharaj:

r Government encouraging
Arvin Maharaj: It gives us great encouragement that Government actually takes part in the Fiji Business Forum with policy-makers who very key people who make policies attending.
We try to work very closely not only with the private sector but also together with the policy-makers to creating an environment for healthy discussion between the two sectors, government and private. So in that respect we try to facilitate and create good discussions so that the businesses can prosper.

r Bridging the gap
Mr Maharaj: Our theme this year is ‘Solutions for Business Prosperity’, so we expect a lot of business people from all walks of life to be there. We expect good discussions to take place on the important topics which the chamber will talk about.
So what we’re trying to do at the Fiji Business Forum is try to bridge the gap that may exist between private sector and government and create the dialogue that’s needed for positive outcomes.

r Bringing issues to the fore
Dr Nur Bano Ali: Policy-makers are not necessarily always cognisant of the issues and practicalities of business. We want to therefore talk to Government and understand where they come from. Government as a regulator comes from a certain point of view and we need to put in our bit. If we don’t, then nothing changes.
We have achieved that level, that platform whereby we have an understanding and we have very high level government attendance therefore, and various officials at various levels. Business and policy people can talk mutually so both can benefit. But we’re driving it from private sectors point of view of course.

Mr Maharaj: In most cases, like sometimes, there are grey areas. And part of the forum’s intention to actually disseminate information as businesses sometimes are reluctant to sort of face government, head-on and find out what are the policies, what are the rules and regulations and so forth. So we also pass on the information and tell the business community that look: This is in place, is there any issue with it? You bring it up and we can act as a catalyst to create that dialogue.

r Creating a better framework
Dr Ali: What we’ve seen is Government is on a wave of creating a better regulatory framework for business, we can see that, the intention is there. And the policy framework may be there too. But what happens is when it comes around to implementation, it gets lost in the bureaucracy and that is our biggest obstacle at the moment and that is our biggest challenge today.
We want to pass that message across and come up with absolute practical method or provide a solution as to how we can overcome this. The long awaited processes, the subjects on the programme, the dealing with land. Land is a big, big problem.
Dealing with state-land is such nightmare. You hear of stories of people waiting six months, up to nine months to get crown approvals or leasing extended or consent to mortgage or transfer or stamping of the title, these are all sort of issues with land. So we’ve got state land and we’ve got somebody from TLTB talking on Native Land as well.
And then we’ve got of course the price control and where the Commerce Commission is heading and where we can help them make it better.
Maybe they don’t have enough understanding of how we work, how businesses work too so this forum enables that mutual discussion and we want to keep it mutual because otherwise you get somebody on the defence and you get no benefits in the end.
Then we’ve got a section on the new regulatory framework-the company’s  decree, the Employment Regulations Promulgation, the tax and all of that.
At the end of the whole programme, the last session is an open forum where we’ve got an open fire situation. We’ve got an SMS messenger service whereby people can post in their questions and we will get to answer them.
Right at the end, we finish off with a nice note with updates on Suva. We are Suva of Chamber and Commerce after all and the city administrator is going to come and tell us the exciting things he’s doing for Suva.

r 2014 Budget submission
Dr Ali: The Suva Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 2014 Budget submission is coming out of the Fiji Business Forum communiqué. So that’s why we’ve hosted it at this time because business communities get in the mood during budget processes to have their issues heard.
We even have people coming from Lautoka and Nadi and around Fiji, it’s a Fiji Forum and this is the only forum which provides this kind of practical input into the budget process because we’ve got the regulators sitting right there.

r Investment concerns
Dr Ali: There’s a lot of local investments which is happening which people  don’t know about. There are a lot of investments in the range of $10 million to $20 million, smaller projects which are multitudes of them going around.
Somebody needs to take stock of that because what happens is that Investment Fiji focuses on foreign although they should be looking at local.
I’m aware personally, through my own personal business and client contacts that there’s at least $5 million, $10 million dollar projects happening. So there’s many of us who talk about it sometimes so somebody needs to take stock of that. And this is where you can feel there’s activity.

r An open forum
Dr Ali: We’re encouraging really an open forum. And people get a bit hesitant to voice their opinions so the SMS service will be useful. SMS on Digicel platform: 7222222 so anybody can text, so it will be anonymous. And there will be some lucky door prizes.
It’s becoming a very well-attended conference only because of the practical approach that we take. And hence, straight out there no fancy talk, only straight to the point, hard talk, straight talk.

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