By RANOBA BAOA

Fiji Retailers Association says retailers have witnessed on average a definite increase in trade patterns throughout the year – the growth being slow yet steady.
Association president, Himmat Lodhia, said these patterns were usually noticed during festive occasions.
“The increase and growth is always directly proportional to the input and promotions of the respective company,” Mr Lodhia said.
“The towns and cities throughout Fiji has had a different pattern of trading mainly owing to natural calamities and also factors such as employment in the towns and agricultural output.
“Sources of income from tourism, transport, industries, agriculture and other forms of employment generally keep the retail businesses ticking.”

Regulating bodies
The association welcomed the Consumer Council of Fiji and Fiji Commerce Commission for monitoring unscrupulous traders.
“The traders should learn that the warnings are there and they should adhere to good ethics and good business practice if they wish to continue trade in Fiji,” Mr Lodhia said.
“The consumer should always be respected as we as retailers should always appreciate it is only the consumer who is the reason for the retailers’ existence.”

By LOSIRENE CHAND

While hotels in Labasa had been fully-booked this month, the Labasa Chamber of Commerce said people have started checking out before Christmas.
Chamber vice president, Paul Jaduram, who is also the managing director of Hotel Northwinds in Labasa, said guests started checking out even before Christmas eve.
“All hotels were fully booked this month and it had been a busy month for hoteliers,” he said.
But Mr Jaduram said as the festive season was around, people would want to be home with their families.
“We have had government officials and Non-Government Organisation officials and other special guests checking-in to our hotels,” he said.
He said this was because of the many projects, workshops and social events that were taking place in Labasa.
“We had shortage of rooms and could not accommodate everybody, but the hoteliers have done really well in providing the ‘Friendly North’ hospitality,” Mr Jaduram said.
“We have to thank the hoteliers for giving marvellous hospitality service to our friends, our visitors from outside Labasa and the government for giving us the opportunity to do so.”
Mr Jaduram said people in the North hardly checked in at hotels as many would rather be spending their Christmas and New Year in their villages and homes with families and loved ones.
He said for 2014, they were looking at positive changes and approaches for better services in their hotels.

Wellington: Slagging off your boss on Facebook might not be the best career move, with a judge warning there is no such thing as a private conversation on the social network.
The advice comes after an employee, who called his manager a dickhead on Facebook, lost his appeal for constructive dismissal.
Jarrod Hook took his case to the Employment Relations Authority earlier this year, claiming he was pushed into resigning from his job as an IT consultant for the Stream Group.
He was given a written warning after sending disparaging emails about the company’s Australian management and being absent from the office without explanation.
After he resigned, the company discovered the offensive posts on his Facebook page.
They included a friend hoping that one of Mr Hook’s bosses would be “mauled by a pack of rabid dingos”.
The authority ruled against Mr Hook, but he appealed to the Employment Court, where he was again unsuccessful.

Judge’s decision
In her decision, Judge Christina Inglis noted the use of social networks in employment disputes had only arisen sporadically in New Zealand.
“But examples of staff using the sites to criticise their employers is becoming more common and carried risks,” she said.
“It is well established that conduct occurring outside the workplace may give rise to disciplinary action.
“Facebook posts, even those ostensibly protected by a privacy setting, may not be regarded as protected communications beyond the reach of employment processes.
“After all, how private is a written conversation initiated over the internet with 200 ‘friends’, who can pass the information on to a limitless audience?”
Judge Inglis said comments made on sites such as Facebook could be easily passed into real-life networks.
She said it had a potential audience that casual conversations around the water cooler, or at an after-hours social gathering, did not.

Hook says concerns ‘legit’
Mr Hook said he was expressing legitimate concerns about the company’s management, which were shared by others.
His cellphone was taken away over a weekend, and emails from a private account were accessed and he said: “I was treated very badly.”
His Facebook comments were “screen-grabbed” after he had already left the Stream Group.
“It was never explained why they felt they had the right to do that,” Mr Hook said.
He had since deleted his Facebook account.
“One of the reasons was this whole case. I don’t miss it – it’s quite liberating actually,” he said.
Posts on social media
Human Resources Institute of New Zealand acting chief executive Brenda Tweedy said she was often surprised at the things people wrote online about their workplaces.
“It’s the same thing with emails, it’s just like a postcard, anyone can see it. People think if they tick a box, things are private. Well, they’re not,” she said.
“Sometimes I see stuff on there and think, ‘What an idiot’.”
She said things had a way of always coming out eventually, so if employees wanted a good reference they should act appropriately.
Employment lawyer Andrew Scott-Howman was not surprised at Judge Inglis’ comments and expected plenty of similar cases to appear in the future.
It was also becoming accepted in legal proceedings and disputes that access to a person’s social media account could be requested as disclosure so it could be considered as evidence.

– Dominion Post

By JYOTI PRATIBHA

The Warwick Fiji Resort and Spa is undergoing multi-million dollar refurbishment and renovation.
The newly-appointed general manager Dean Swaagman revealed plans for the resort during the annual staff party this week.
Mr Swaagman said the owners of the resort were mindful of the state the resort was currently in.
He said they had decided to make the investment to upgrade the resort to its former glory.
While Mr Swaagman was not in a position to reveal the amount that is being invested, he said it was “substantial and ran into millions”.
The Suva-wing of the resort is undergoing a complete upgrade and has been closed off.
The renovation is expected to be completed by March.
Prior to joining Warwick Fiji Resort and Spa, Mr Swaagman had experience working in Fiji when he was with the Peark Resort.
He also has some ten years experience working in the region.

Staff training
Apart from the investment in the resort, human resource upgrade is also high on Mr Swaagman’s agenda.
Having worked in locales such as Bali, Mr Swaagman said Fiji was a unique destination because of its people.
He said the management was mindful of this and to capitalise further on this aspect, they were keen to provide further training to its staff.
Mr Swaagman said people came to Fiji for its people.
Resort staff would get in-house as well as external training to better understand the needs of customers and to provide the extra attention that each guest requires.

Overseas market
With other groups such as Ahura Group working tirelessly to tap into the Asian market, the Warwick Fiji Resort and Spa is also keen on marketing its products to this market.
He said the group understood the importance of these emerging markets and were working to see how more Asians could be enticed into coming to Fiji.

What the upgrade includes for the Suva-wing

• New air conditioning units will be placed in all rooms
• Upgrade of furniture
• New linens
• Better facilities inside the room
• Rooms would be freshly painted

By RACHNA LAL

Nadi Bay Beach Estate, a beachfront backpacker resort in Wailoaloa, Nadi, is on the market for sale for $3.6 million.

Real estate agents, Bayleys Fiji, said the resort has a total of 28 beds within six dormitories that occupy the ground level and a total of 16 rooms on the upper level.

The property is 7.5 kilometres away from Nadi International Airport or 15 minutes drive and 6.5 kilometres away from Nadi town centre.

Full details in Friday’s Fiji Sun newspaper.

The Nadi Bay Beach Estate is up for sale for $3.6 million. Photo: BAYLEYS FIJI

The Nadi Bay Beach Estate is up for sale for $3.6 million. Photo: BAYLEYS FIJI

By RACHNA LAL

Nadi Bay Beach Estate, a beachfront backpacker resort in Wailoaloa, Nadi, is on the market for sale for $3.6 million.
Real estate agents, Bayleys Fiji, said the resort has a total of 28 beds within six dormitories that occupy the ground level and a total of 16 rooms on the upper level.
Bayleys Fiji said the property is currently leased out to Backpacker Connections (Fiji) Limited for an initial term of three years commencing December 2, 2010 with one right of renewal for a further term of three years.
“The property is used in connection with Smugglers’ Cove Resort and as such, there is no kitchen provided within the property,” it said.
“Nadi Bay Beach Estate has established itself as the prime location for budget-type resort development and has had a high concentration of budget and backpacker tourist inflow over the recent years.
“Nadi Bay is located on Wasawasa Road, along the Nadi Bay Foreshore.
“The area is commonly known as Wailoaloa Beach which predominantly caters for executive type residential and tourist-related developments.”
The property is 7.5 kilometres away from Nadi International Airport or 15 minutes drive and 6.5 kilometres away from Nadi town centre.

Boeing’s 787-9 Dreamliner is a stretched version of 787-8 model which Jetstar is now flying. The 787-9 carries more passengers and can fly over longer distances than its sibling.

Auckland: Boeing’s 787-9 Dreamliner is headed ‘down under’ next month as the next-gen jet undergoes extensive testing ahead of its mid-year debut with Air New Zealand.
The visit is expected to include stop-overs at Auckland, Brisbane and Alice Springs.
But the 787-9 which will fly to Australia and New Zealand in January won’t carry any passengers apart from Boeing pilots, engineers and technicians who will put the plane through its paces in an array of real-world conditions.
This will include ‘hot testing’ under the scorching summer sun at Alice Springs, in the middle of Australia, where average temperatures for January hover around 36 degrees with a record of 49.2 °C.
That’s a crucial part of certifying the Boeing 787-9 for use by airlines, which is why this Dreamliner will pack a comprehensive array of equipment to record in exacting detail how the plane performs.
Boeing now has three 787-9s in its test fleet, although the next two aircraft to roll out of the factory will be fitted with standard interiors and primarily used for promotional flights.

The 787-9 Dreamliner schedule
While details have not been finalised, the 787-9 is expected to arrive into Auckland in the late afternoon of Saturday January 4 to be showcased by worldwide launch customer Air New Zealand.
A preliminary schedule supplied to Australian Business Traveller by Brisbane Airport lists the 787-9 as departing Auckland on Monday January 6 around 11am (NZ time).
It will then make a refuelling stop at Brisbane Airport, touching down around 12 noon with wheels-up again at 3pm, before reaching Alice Springs around 5pm.
Flight tests around Australia’s ‘red centre’ are expected to run from Tuesday January 7 to Saturday January 11th, according to the schedule.
It’ll then be nine long months of continued testing until the Boeing 787-9 makes its first commercial flight with Air New Zealand on October 15, 2014 from Auckland to Perth.
(Tickets for that flight are now on sale at airnewzealand.com and through the Kiwi carrier’s partner Virgin Australia at virginaustralia.com.au.)
As more 787-9s join the Air NZ fleet, the Dreamliner will appear on the Auckland-Tokyo and Auckland-Shanghai routes.
– Australian Business Traveller

Inside the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

• Each of Air New Zealand’s 10 Boeing 787-9s will see a three-class configuration of 18 seats in business class, 21 in premium economy and 263 in economy.
• The pointy end of Air NZ’s Boeing 787-9 will see 18 of the familiar Business Premier seats already seen on the airline’s flagship Boeing 777s.
• The lie-flat business class seats are arranged in a 1-1-1 herringbone layout so that every passenger has direct aisle access.
• The seat is fitted with a ‘memory foam’ mattress, duvet and two full size pillows.
• Less familiar are the Premium Economy seats, with Air NZ choosing a more standard ‘off the shelf’ design instead of its Spaceseat.
• The Premium economy seats have been sourced from US seat designer Zodiac, with Air New Zealand calling them “a customised seat best described as Business-lite.”
• Arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, the seats have a 41” pitch and 5” wide armrest, with a generous 9” recline, integrated leg rest and extendable foot support.
• There are 21 premium economy seats in this stand-alone cabin, which also has its own dedicated bathroom facilities.
• The bulk of Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787-9 is given over to two economy cabins with all seating in a 3-3-3 layout. This includes 14 Skycouch rows of three seats where the legrests and armrests flip all the way up to convert into a ‘sofa-like’ flat surface.

1. Main entry 2. Car park (44 cars) 3. Porte chochere 4. Reception Lobby 5. Convention and support centre 6. Beachfront Restaurant and bar 7. Swimming pool and sun deck 8. Spa 9. Garden View Villas Type A 10. Garden View Villas Type B 11. Duplex Bure Units 12. Deluxe Bure Units 13. Floating dive deck 14. Mounds (landscaping) 15. Utilities area 16. Future commercial development 17. Functions facilities/bar restaurant

By RACHNA LAL

An opportunity has opened up for investors to participate in the development of a beachfront resort on a prime Vuda Point site close to Lautoka.
This commercial property has been put up on the market via Bayleys Fiji.
Bayleys Fiji said the new 99-year Crown Lease covers 9.4354 ha (23.32 acres) made
up of 3.9268 ha of State Foreshore and 5.5086 land area.
“Considerable planning has been completed and necessary approvals granted,” it said.
“The developer seeks a joint venture partner to take a lead position in the development of the resort.”

What the plan includes
Planned are resort central core facilities, with convention centre and full resort amenities
- spa, pool, restaurant and bar.
A mix of garden view and ocean view villas combine with overwater bures to make up the accommodation component.
Bayleys said valuation was available.
“Interested parties are invited to submit offers for their preferred percentage ownership in the development,” it said.
“A joint venture majority partner is sought to purchase shares in the single purpose development company.”

Source: MINISTRY OF INFORMATION

Beginning in 2014, Fijian businesses will be able to acquire their licences for up to three years at a time, cutting back on red tape and improving productivity.

The Bainimarama Government is now reviewing the fairness of the overall regime of licensing and the fees paid by large and small businesses.

It says every year, Fijian business owners are forced to go through the same process again and again – having to reapply for their business licences and pay the annual fee.

Now, due to a new initiative by the Bainimarama Government, businesses throughout the country can avoid the yearly time consuming encounter with municipal bureaucracies.

Full details in Saturday’s Fiji Sun newspaper.

The Government is easing business practices for local entrepreneurs.

By RANOBA BAOA

Next year, the Fiji Commerce Commission is anticipating to register all properties rented out for residential purposes.
This follows approval having been given by the Attorney-General and Minister for Industry and Trade, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, to extend the existing residential rental freeze for another year.
Commission chairman, Dr Mahendra Reddy confirmed this in a press statement yesterday.
He said they wish to register these properties so that by the end of 2014, they get a Price Control Order.
“This will allow the commission to adjust rents in accordance with any capital improvements made on their property,” Dr Reddy said.
“The commission wishes to advise all Landlords they should now start registering their properties with Fiji Commerce Commission.”
The rental freeze means that landlords would continue to be restricted from increasing rents for premises that falls under residential tenancy including ground rental to which the Commerce Commission Decree 2010 applies.

By MARAIA VULA

Metromix Concrete Fiji, a division of MY Group Limited, has invested approximately $500,000 into two new 15 cubic metre ready mix trucks.
Company general manager Azad Ali said it was no doubt this was an investment that would be a boost for the industry.
Mr Ali said: “These trucks were bought from China and it’s now time to set the quality and service delivery of concrete around the nation to another level.
“Now the company has invested in these two new trucks to incorporate the latest required volumes of supplies to government and private sectors.”
Mr Ali said they expect to bring more trucks by next year.
However, he said the two trucks would make work easier at a faster pace and without triple loading of mix as it would be just one load.
“It will also be cost effective,” he stressed.
Metromix currently has 10 five metre cubic and two seven cubic metre trucks which would take five or more loads on any project.
These trucks would be used in bigger projects for infrastructure and production.
Mr Ali said government had announced in the 2014 budget to undertake development programmes in civil and new infrastructure works across the country.
“Metromix is fully equipped with the right tools and modern technology with various convenient methods and quality supplies as per customer requirements and guarantees the service to maximum satisfaction,” he said.

New future plans
MY Group director Nooriza Khan explained the group’s plans for next year.
“This year there has been a lot of progress for transport. Recently, a few new trucks arrived from England and hopefully next year there will be more,” Ms Khan said.
She said they are looking to invest about $5 million in new equipment, trucks and heavy machinery for the group to progress more efficiently.

About MY Group
An established private business, MY Group has over 25 years of experience across Fiji with the bold leadership of the chief executive, Mohammed Aiyub.The company owns and runs the following businesses:
l MY Transport – Heavy haulage
l MY Logistics and Customs – Bonded area and Warehouse
l MY Truck and Trailer Parts
l MYCC – Container Storage
l Metromix Concrete – Concrete
l Winstone Aggregates

By RACHNA LAL

The Fiji Commerce Commission has announced reduction in wholesale bandwidth data price charges by 15 per cent from the previous price announcement in July 2011.
Commission chairman, Dr Mahendra Reddy, in a statement said the price reduction will come into effect from January 1.
He said from July 1, 2014, further glide down in the rate by another 23 per cent is approved.
Telecom Fiji acquires their capacity networks from OPTUS and Telstra, Digicel Fiji from Telecom New Zealand (TNZ) and FINTEL from OPTUS.
Dr Reddy said the prices offered by these providers via SCCN have declined significantly and thus the reduction.
Dr Reddy said then they expect, given the drop in wholesale rates, a reduction in retail rates.
“This implies individual users who procure data from Vodafone, Kidanet, Unwired, Digicel, Connect, etc would also see a reduction in their rates,” he said.
All those institutions and businesses who are purchasing data on a wholesale basis could see their data costs falling by as much as 15 per cent from January 1.
These include:
r All net café’s
r Government ITC Centre
r Call Centres
r Banks
r Large Business such as Oil Companies, Manufactures who have multiple plants
r Educational Institutions such as Universities, Secondary and Primary Schools

Fuel and gas prices
Meanwhile, Dr Reddy said the commission will continue to undertake fuel and LPG price revisions and release on a timely manner.
“We have a solid research base to these releases which allows us to ensure that price movements domestically mirrors on international price movement,” he said.

Shipping fare and freight
Dr Reddy further revealed that Cabinet has approved the commission’s report on a detailed research on shipping and passenger services of our maritime zone.
“Following Cabinets examination of our report, Cabinet has given the green light to have a Price Control Order on Passenger Fares and Freight rates,” he said.
“We intend to make announcements on this as soon as the A-G gazettes the Price Control Order.”

Pharmaceutical items
Following requests from the Minister of Health, the commission is now undertaking price reviews of basic medicinal items on a quarterly basis.
Dr Reddy said: “This implies that we will ensure these medicinal products are available to the general public at a competitive price.
“Also that there won’t be any variation in prices within close proximity.”

Achievements, 2014 plans
Dr Reddy revealed the commission this year had seen a significant rise in unfair trading practices – by 150 complaints.
“This is not because of rise in unfair trading practices but because of more people now coming forward to report the cases,” he said.
“Majority of these cases has been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties while the remaining are at various stages of mediation.”
Dr Reddy highlighted the commission made 27,234 inspections and announced that they issued very few spot fines.
“We also made close to a 1000 inspection in the Maritime zones via our Part Time Compliance Inspectors appointed in various maritime islands,” he said.
For next year, Dr Reddy said they intend to work closely with Government Statutory bodies to ensure the services that they provide are in line with Commerce Commission Decree 2010.

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.

The upgrade of the Savusavu airport runway has long been debated, surrounded by increasing controversy.
Savusavu Tourism Association is pushing for the upgrade of the runway. It has engaged an expert airport engineer to come up with what it says is a viable plan.
It says the upgrade is needed because the limitations of the current runway stifle tourism investment and stop the spread of the tourism dollar in the North.
The first stage being proposed is to reclaim the area required to extend the existing runway.
The proposal also is for the terminal to be relocated and upgraded adjacent to the ‘new’ apron area that was built in 2008.
The association is positive of getting more tourists and investment into Savusavu once the runway is upgraded. It would, it says, allow for bigger more comfortable planes and what is says will be much more reliable access.
That in turn, it says, will be the catalyst for unlocking investment held up because of concerns over air services between Nadi International Airport and Savusavu.
Our main domestic airline, Pacific Sun, currently flies its Twin Otter aircraft to Savusavu.
The Savusavu Tourism Association says Pacific Sun can only uplift 12 to 14 passengers with ‘most’ of their baggage ex Nadi for Northern destinations.
Airports Fiji Limited, the entity responsible for all our regular airports, says it is not saying the Savusavu Runway will not be extended.
But it says rather that the proposed design by the association can be a bit risky.
Airports Fiji says it could go ahead if the Savusavu Tourism Association members unequivocally guarantee the design they are proposing for the runway and any consequences arising from it.

We spoke to the following people from Savusavu Tourism Association, Airports Fiji Limited and Pacific Sun on this issue:

r Savusavu Tourism Association: Head of Association’s Airport Development Team – Pilot Tim Eden
r Airports Fiji Limited – Chairman – Faiz Khan
r Pacific Sun – General Manager – Shaenaz Voss

1. Fiji Sun to Mr Eden: What are your concerns with Airports Fiji?
Tim Eden: Our release (Fiji Sun November 28, 2013) was in response to comments made in the Fiji Sun, dated November 20, 2013 where chairman of Airports Fiji, Faiz Khan, mentioned that: “AFL was appreciative of Government’s allocation of $600,000 in the 2014 Budget to upgrade Outer Island Airports”.
However, in the very next sentence he stated that “Savusavu will not be extended”.
The timing of this release, coincidently, was a day prior to a meeting Savusavu Tourism Association had with Airports Fiji Limited regarding the extension of Savusavu runway.
Further, Airports Fiji stated that: “It is uncommon for any organisation to come up with such a plan as STA has”.
STA agrees, it is uncommon, however we refer to it as ‘an initiative’, something that Government has been stressing for quite some time – don’t wait on handouts from Government.
So STA took the initiative to do something about it, beginning some ten years ago.

2. Fiji Sun to Mr Khan: Why did you say the $600,000 allocated in the 2014 National Budget for outer island airstrips will not be used for the Savusavu Runway upgrade?
Faiz Khan: We have never said that Savusavu runway will not be extended. What we have said is that the $600,000 2014 Budget allocation for outer islands is not for Savusavu extension.
Is Savusavu Tourism Association claiming that they can extend Savusavu runway from a budget pool of $600,000 for all outer islands?

3. Fiji Sun to Mr Eden: Tell us about the association’s proposal and the consultant engaged to develop the proposal?
Mr Eden: Previous Airports Fiji figures to extend the runway have been in the $13 million to $15 million range.
Savusavu Tourism Association has engaged an expert engineer who has designed and built numerous runways in Australia, using the latest technology, including remote solar power emergency installations, over the past two years.
Savusavu Tourism Association has a current day estimate of $2.5 million to complete the extension with the existing width, which will make Savusavu more operationally safe than it has ever been.
Savusavu Tourism Association has also offered to look into the liability aspect of the works, despite already saving AFL some $10 million in the overall process.
It is an opportunity that Airports Fiji and ultimately our Government will never get again, ie basically a development at cost.

4. Fiji Sun to Mr Khan: Why can’t Airports Fiji agree to this proposal?
Mr Khan: Please note that Savusavu Tourism Association’s initiative does not propose to pay for Savusavu runway extension.
Savusavu Tourism Association is asking Airports Fiji to pay based on Savusavu Tourism Association’s design.
The simple issue is whether Savusavu Tourism Association members will take responsibility for its design and delivery and any consequences that flow from it.
Therefore Savusavu Tourism Association’s comments on it taking initiative away from Government handout culture, is irresponsible and miscued.
Airports Fiji’s directives from Government is simply to ensure that capital expenditures are well spent and we receive value for money whether it be by way of a business case or in the name of national economic development.
Without any warranties and guarantees from the Savusavu Tourism Association members of their proposed design, we cannot be certain of value.
We cannot just build/spend, as Savusavu Tourism Association proposes, and wait and see if airlines that do not even exist at the moment deliver on their promises to fly there.
We also cannot be blind to the fact that Pacific Sun (soon to be Fiji Link) is the only airline that truly flies domestically and has rejected Savusavu Tourism Association’s design proposal.
Airports Fiji is simply asking all Savusavu Tourism Association members to unequivocally guarantee the design they propose for Savusavu runway extensions and any consequences arising from it and see how Airports Fiji will make Savusavu Tourism Association’s proposal possible.
Airports Fiji assures to assist Savusavu Tourism Association once that is done.
5. Fiji Sun to Mr Eden: There are certain standards required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Will the association’s runway upgrade proposal be compliant?
Mr Eden: The chairman (Mr Khan) mentions ICAO as the yard stick to any development. If the same ‘ICAO guidelines’ were to be applied over all existing aerodromes in Fiji, it would spell the end of aviation in Fiji.
There are no aerodromes in Fiji that are totally ICAO compliant -  Nausori remains black listed, Labasa has it’s restrictions, not to mention many of the grass tracks on Outer Islands that have served the public for decades.
At the end of the day, it is the airlines who decide where they will land their aircraft, with or without restrictions (these days referred to as risk assessment/management) to which the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji will confirm compliance.

6. Fiji Sun to Mr Khan: Do you agree the outer island airstrips in Fiji are not entirely ICAO-compliant?
Mr Khan: It is irresponsible of Savusavu Tourism Association to say that most outer island airstrips are not ICAO compliant so let Airports Fiji spend millions to build another ICAO non-compliant runway in Savusavu.
The traffic on some of the smaller outer island runways is low and airlines only fly when conditions suit them. This is the same for low frequency grass track runway aerodromes around the world.
It is an irony that Savusavu Tourism Association wants runway extension at Savusavu with a view to more frequent and bigger size aircrafts, yet it implies that it is okay for their design to be ICAO non compliant and risk airline frequency.

7. Fiji Sun to Mr Eden: What are your concerns about Pacific Sun and what do you propose?
Mr Eden: Savusavu Tourism Association would like to mention that Pacific Sun is not the only airline in the country that operates domestically.
It is no better time these operators put their hands up and make submissions to Airports Fiji regarding their operational requirements.
Perhaps Pacific Sun should look at an aircraft type other than the ATR42, perhaps the DASH 8 100-200 is more suited to domestic operations, many of which operate in Papua New Guinea’s challenging environment.
Whatever way it’s looked at, destinations such as Taveuni and Savusavu have out grown and deserve better than the existing services.
The Savusavu Tourism Association members are hard at work upgrading properties, have future plans for expansion, and are convincing potential investors to invest in this beautiful part of the Country.
This is the very reason we are taking the ‘initiative’ and paving the way for more efficient services.
Its time Government and Airports Fiji find a way to exploit these opportunities. The word ‘impossible’ is not in our Savusavu Tourism Association dictionary.

8. Fiji Sun to Ms Voss: What are your views on the comments made by the Savusavu Tourism Association and their proposal?
Shaenaz Voss: We have to date not seen any firm designs and for that matter cannot comment on if the design does or does not meet our operational performance requirements.
In order to determine  the safe performance of ATR42-500 into Savusavu, we would first require Type A chart of the aerodrome from which ATR professionals will determine the requirements.
Pacific Sun is happy to work alongside Airports Fiji on any developments they undertake and will also assist with technical resources required such as pilot input and performance data.
Pacific Sun’s fleet review/plan is not based on any individual or associations requirements but on extensive fleet studies which take into account safety, aircraft operational performance and commercial viability.

By RACHNA LAL

VB Holdings Limited, a fleet and property management company, has noted an improvement in business conditions.
The South Pacific Stock Exchange-listed company attributed this to infrastructure development and other projects in the country.
As a result, recently-appointed chairman, Sundar Masih Sukhu, announced improvements in performance for the 11 months of trade.
VB Holdings has declared a second interim dividend to members of the public who may have bought shares in the company.
“VB Holdings Limited reached a revenue of over $3.025 million for the first time, over the 11 months of trading, as of November 30, 2013,” Mr Sukhu said.
“The improved performance for the period in terms of total turnover, saw the company exceed last year’s turnover by 18 per cent, achieving $3.025 million compared to the previous $2.558 million.”
Mr Sukhu said at the same time, the profit for this period was $491,000.
“However, the net profit before provisions for taxation for the period was $603,000 because of increased depreciation allowances,” he said.
“Net assets have also increased by eight per cent from the previous $4.9 million, as of December 31, 2012 to $5.3 million as of November 30, 2013.”

Interim dividend payouts
VB Holdings Limited additionally announced $0.07 per share as the second interim dividend for the five months period as at November 30, 2013.
Shareholders would receive tax-free dividends as all publically-listed companies are entitled to and this would equal the first interim dividend, taking the total to $0.14 for the year.
Mr Sukhu said the company since listing in 2001, over the past 12 years, has achieved a consistent growth in revenue and profits.
This, he attributed to improvements in its cost reduction programme and improvements in market conditions.
“The public shareholders also have been given consistent returns for each year, in the form of dividends and bonus shares and the company intends to maintain this in future,” he said.
“Further, dividends from SPSE listed companies paid to the public are tax free to encourage more ownership of companies by the public of Fiji.
“Government’s recent announcement of a reduction in corporate tax to 10 per cent for listed entities on the South Pacific Stock Exchange, will positively affect VB Holdings Limited from 2014.”

Change in chairmanship
Meanwhile, Mr Sukhu was appointed chairman following Narayan S Niranjan stepping down as chairman after holding the position for 32 years, although he started as company secretary in the 1960s.
During this period, the company that had become dormant from its hay days of the 1940s and early 1950s, restarted investing from the mid 1980s and led to the listing of the company on the SPSE.
Mr NS Niranjan was appointed chairman in April 1981 after the sudden death of Mr S Balgovind.
Mr Niranjan said he felt he has serviced is time and it was time for him to hand over to someone younger.
“When I joined the company as secretary they were on the verge of receivership in 1960’s,” he said.
“I had to make arrangements with bank not to wind the company up and then began the road to restructuring the company.
“Nevertheless, I am happy with how the company is performing today.”
Mr Sukhu became involved with VBH when his father, who was a founding shareholder, had passed away in 1964.
He became a board member from May 7, 1981 and has remained actively involved since.
Mr Sukhu said he would like to follow in the foot-steps of Mr Niranjan, who has guided the company to its current success with his chairmanship for 32 years.

About VB Holdings
VB Holdings Limited formed in 1946, was known as Vishal Bhartiyaa Company Limited, as a public company.
It was however unlisted by Pandit Vishnu Deo and a number of community leaders in the Fijian Indian community, to help employ young men and women after World War II.

Beginning next year, Fijian businesses will be able to acquire their licenses for up to three years at a time, cutting back on red tape and improving productivity.
This will mean Fijian business owners would not be forced to through the same process again and again having to re-apply for their business licenses and pay the annual fee.
Now, because of a new initiative by the Bainimarama Government, businesses throughout the country can avoid the yearly time-consuming encounter with municipal bureaucracies.
The Bainimarama Government is also reviewing the fairness of the overall regime of licensing and the fees paid by large and small businesses.
The Attorney-General and Acting Minister for Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, said: “There should be more equity in the system.
“We are beginning to look at the question of whether all business, regardless of size, should be paying the same fee.
“It may be more appropriate to have a sliding scale that provides a break for small and family operated businesses compared to corporations and bigger companies.”
The new initiative will also reduce the time municipal bureaucracies spend processing annual paperwork.
It will further allow municipalities to devote more time and energy to seeing to the essential services that must be provided to all Fijians.  — MINFO NEWS

By JYOTI PRATIBHA

The walkout by some 300 workers of Starwood Fiji had been declared illegal by the Ministry of Labour.
But Denarau Island’s Landowning Community is adamant that workers were not wrong when they staged the walkout on Tuesday.
Starwood Fiji includes Sheraton Fiji Resort, Sheraton Denarau Villas and Westin Denarau Island  Resort and Spa.
The Denarau Island Landowning Community has backed the walkout by the workers and has been negotiating with the Starwood Fiji management on the behalf of the workers.
The community reports to Tui Nadi Ratu Sailosi Dawai.
While not a registered association or a union, the community is made up of Landowning members, see themselves as guardians of the rights of Denarau workers from Narewa Village.
Community president Isikeli Gavidi said they were still standing by the workers and wanted Starwood Fiji management to honour the resolution reached by both parties.
Labour Minister Jone Usamate, however, maintains the strike by the union members of the National Union of Hospitality, Catering & Tourism Industries Employees is illegal.
He said the employees had not provided the Registrar of Trade Unions prior notice of secret ballot which in turn has breached Section (1) of the Employment Regulations Promulgation.
For a strike to be lawful, a notice must be served on the Registrar of Trade Unions 21 days before the nominated date to hold the ballot, the confirmed date, time and place to hold the ballot and issues for the strike.
He said this was not done.
There is also no indication whether any ballot was conducted to decide a walk-out.

Union backing
Mr Gavidi said the walk-out was supported by the Landowning Community and they were backed by the unions. However, he was not aware of any ballot being conducted.
Prominent unionist Daniel Urai did not comment on their support for the walkout, However, he was present in Narewa Village, where the workers had met to protest.
Mr Gavidi said they were maintaining the resolution they reached on behalf of the workers with Starwood Fiji’s management.
He said if the grievances of workers were not addressed within 14 days, they will once again support the workers in their decision to work out.

Starwood Fiji
Sources confi rm that Starwood Fiji managing director Shane Cunning flew out of the country on Tuesday.
Emails sent to him on the matter had not been answered by the time this edition went to press.
Westin manager Ravinder Dhesi, who met with landowning community members at the Tui Nadi’s residence, did not respond to calls made to him to seek Starwood comment.
An interesting issue to watch is whether Starwood will continue with the agreement reached with the staff now that the strike has been declared illegal.

Staff members of Starwood Fiji during their strike on Tuesday in Narewa Village in Nadi. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA

No signs of progress at site

By RACHNA LAL

Fiji’s first Casino was supposed to have been completed and operational by October 2013.
But there have been constant delays and the project has not even started yet.
The casino was shifted from the initial proposed site on Denarau Island to just outside the island.
Going into the fourth month overdue period, developer One Hundred Sands Limited should have had paid US$400,000 (FJ$ 748,000) to the Fijian Government as penalty for not having the casino up and running by October 1.
The Fiji Sun contacted One Hundred Sands Limited chairman, Larry Claunch, who is believed to be in Fiji, for an update of the project.
Mr Claunch, through his email response, assured: “We are proceeding ahead with our plans to build the casino and convention centre.”
Other than this, Mr Claunch said he did not have any other comments at the moment.
He, however, said he would contact the Fiji Sun when he is ready to give a full interview.
When Fiji Sun visited the site yesterday, there was overgrown grass and diggers previously at the site had been removed.
The only things which remain are an empty container which we believe was used as office possibly and the sign board saying this is the casino site.

Previous comments

Mr Claunch had earlier in October said they are redesigning the Casino and Convention Centre with their architects in America to accommodate the new site.
He had said this was a very complicated international project and despite working day and night, every aspect had taken longer than expected.
Mr Claunch had also said they are willing to pay US$100,000 monthly as fine.
He said they would try to stick to the $290 million initial budget for the redesign as well.

The proposed casino site near Denarau Island in Nadi yesterday. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA

By RANOBA BAOA

Pacific Green Industries (Fiji) Limited has confirmed that it has been unable to secure a comprehensive insurance policy for this year.
Omitted from their previous insurance policy is material damage which includes fire, cyclone, earthquake, burglary, electrical damage, fusion, riot, strike, civil commotion, water damage and flood.
Chairman of this publically-listed company, Peter Ryan, said there was also no coverage of its Malaqere assets in Sigatoka.
“There is no current insurance cover for the assets of the Malaqere factory, showroom, office and contents, stock, plant, machinery and equipment,” he said.
“In assessing this change, it should be remembered the manufacturing operation is no longer one large building – it is now spread over 10 separated, mainly steel buildings.”
Mr Ryan said while this may serve as a form of mitigation for the company while it attempts to secure lost international markets, the board and management will continue negotiations.
“We will continue negotiation to get adequate Material Damage cover for the future,” he added.
Pacific Green Industries has had two incidences of fire over the past decade; one in 2004 and one about a year ago.
For the 2004 fire at its Palmwood manufacturing facility, there was a $4.8 million out of court settlement in 2010.
It is believed the fire the past year caused damage just over $13,000.

FINTEL chief executive, Iowane Koroivuki, has decided to leave the company after 34 years of service.

Amalgamated Telecom Holdings has announced that Iowane Koroivuki, chief executive of FINTEL, has elected not to be reappointed with his contract which ended on December 31, 2013.
Mr Koroivuki commenced work with FINTEL on February 18, 1980, and served close to 34 years with the company.
Over this time, he has made valuable and dedicated contributions to FINTEL.
The boards of ATH and FINTEL take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank him for his contributions and wish him well in his endeavours.
— SOUTH PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE

By MARAIA VULA

Umesh Chand, 49, after working in the automotive industry for over 30 years, has invested $40,000 to set up his own business.
MyDayz Auto Spares and Accessories, located at 77 Ratu Mara Road in Samabula, opened for business on November 1.
Mr Chand said after working for 30 years, he decided his age was catching up and did not feel like working for anyone.
The shop is currently managed by Mr Chand and his wife, Uma Chand.
And only two months into operations, Mr Chand said he has already received good response from customers, majority of who are garage owners.
Parts sold at his shop are imported from Malaysia, Singapore and Japan.
“The price range depends on the origins of the parts because the Malaysian parts are affordable and the Japanese parts are expensive,” Mr Chand said.
“So I advise customers accordingly on the items they have to buy.
“We have customers from the outer islands too in Kadavu, Taveuni, Savusavu and Labasa.”

Expansion plans

Mr Chand said he is looking to expand the business in the future to meet the demand which would create new employment.
“I will definitely expand my business in the future and serve customers with whatever they need,” he said.
“I will expand in the same building may be into another shop which will create employment. The past two months business sales have been good.
“We have a whole year ahead to grow the business to another level and import more items and specialise in other parts.”

MyDayz Auto Spares and Accessories managing director Umesh Chand (right) and wife Uma Chand at their shop in Samabula. Photo: PAULINI RATULAILAI