By MARAIA VULA

The Nausori Chamber of Commerce will be exploring avenues to lure customers back to the town.
Chamber of Commerce president Moti Lal said: “We really have to look into how we retain our customers from Nakasi, Nasinu and other areas.
“We will soon be embarking on membership drive for our membership numbers to increase to 200 to 350 members.
“Initially we started off with 200 to 300 business houses, however, most of them have migrated but right now we have close to 100 to 150 members.”

Challenges for the chamber

The challenge faced by the chamber of commerce is contributed to emerging businesses within the Suva to Nausori corridor.
“The development of business within the Nausori to Suva corridor is affecting the business here and that’s a big challenge for us,” he said.
Mr Lal said they expected businesses to contribute to the carnivals because they will benefit.
“Another problem is business people’s expectations are high when a carnival is held but at the same time the contribution made is not what it should be,” he said.
“As soon as we rejuvenate the chamber of commerce, I think a lot of things will change.”
By mid-February, the chamber of commerce members will meet to discuss and plan their activities for the year.

The Main Street in Nausori.

By RACHNA LAL

BSP Life has revealed that it paid out $43 million to customers the past year, $4 million or 11 per cent more than 2012.
Of this, $37.2 million was for Life Insurance claims and $5.8 million for Health Insurance claims.
Managing director, Malakai Naiyaga, said they paid an average of over $800,000 a week in claims assisting thousands of customers with payouts on their policies.
“Of the $37.2 million for life insurance, $32 million or 86 per cent was paid to customers for maturities and other benefits,” he said.
“This meant they were able to use their insurance payouts to fulfil their life goals whether it be retirement, payment of children’s tertiary fees, paying off a mortgage or taking a well-deserved family holiday.
“The remaining $5.2 million was for death payments assisting families financially after they’ve lost a loved one.”
Mr Naiyaga said on Health insurance, the bulk of the payout was for medical claims including overseas evacuations assisting hundreds of customers in their time of medical need.
“Total health claims increased by $0.4 million or seven per cent compared to 2012,” he said.

Commitment
Mr Naiyaga has assured customers and prospective new customers that they have more initiatives in store in 2014.
“We will continue to raise the level and value of products and services that we offer,” he said.
Mr Naiyaga further said: “We take great care to be there when our customers need us most and this is demonstrated by the level of our claim pay-out.
“Our ability to meet large claims is underpinned by our strong financial standing.
“We have a stable and growing investment portfolio, sound governance processes and internationally recognised actuarial expertise providing financial advice that ensures we deliver on our promises.
“We are in the business of trust and we take this responsibility seriously.”

Rapid growth
Since re-branding in 2011, BSP Life has experienced rapid growth due primarily to growing customer confidence in the brand.
BSP Life’s products cater for payouts in the event of death, disability, critical or terminal illness, and also provide periodic payments throughout the insurance policy term with a final payout at maturity, depending on the policy taken.
Mr Naiyaga said with retirement planning now a key area of focus, life insurance acts as a vehicle to support this with the dual benefit of a payout to family members in the event of untimely loss.
“Health insurance sales have also grown rapidly for the insurer,” he said.
“This is credited to more customers understanding the importance of having insurance to cover for escalating costs in medical treatment, particularly for overseas evacuations.”

BSP Life managing director, Malakai Naiyaga.

Permanent Secretary for Finance, Filimoni Waqabaca.

By RACHNA LAL and RANOBA BAOA

There may be concerns regarding the widening trade deficit (more import less export), but Government believes there are still some positives to this.
Permanent Secretary for Finance, Filimoni Waqabaca, has stressed imports is an indicator of investment activities taking place in the country.
“We’ve watched that revenue collection on VAT is increasing,” he said.
“This indicates that there is a lot of consumption as well and this put together shows that economy is on track with the three per cent growth this year.”
The Reserve Bank of Fiji in its January Economic Review established that the trade deficit (excluding aircraft) widened significantly by 34.6 per cent cumulative to October.
This was as imports pressed ahead while exports slumped.
The report said: “Import growth of 10.8 per cent stemmed from increases in investment, consumption and intermediate goods.
“In contrast, the nine per cent decline in exports (excluding aircraft) was because of lower earnings from re-exports, gold, sugar, textiles, mineral water, coconut oil, timber, ginger, and other domestic exports.
“Notwithstanding the deterioration in the trade deficit, the current account position continues to be supported by healthy inflows of tourism earnings and personnel remittances.”

Lending up
Meanwhile, Government is confident of the achieving the forecasted economic growth of three per cent this year given the level of foreign and local investment to date.
Mr Waqabaca said this was evident in the lending number by commercial and development banks.
“We see that investment is still growing strongly. We noticed that the banks have started lending compared to what was the case in 2011,” he said.

Investment rising
The Reserve Bank’s January Economic Review was also consistent with Mr Waqabaca’s comments.
The report said investment indicators remained largely positive during 2013 evidenced by favourable performances in the construction sector, the surge in new investment lending and acceleration in imports of investment goods.
It said domestic cement sales, a partial indicator for construction activity, expanded by 15.7 per cent cumulative to November, indicating a pick-up in the local construction industry.
“In addition, bank lending for investment purposes rose over the same period last year as a result of higher disbursements to the real estate and building and construction sectors,” the report said.
“Furthermore, imports of investment goods also increased by 25.8 per cent, in the first ten months of 2013.”

Liquidity and foreign
reserves
The central bank said liquidity in December stood at $598.3 million having noted a slight decrease compared to November, owing to the decline in foreign reserves.
The report highlighted as of January 30, liquidity is around $643.3 million.
Foreign reserves continue to be at comfortable levels and were around $1,763 million as at January 30, sufficient to cover 4.7 months of retained imports of goods and non-factor services.

Vodafone Fiji has sent out a warning to customers regarding hoax messages from unknown overseas phone numbers sent with an intention to defraud the subscribers.
These messages ask customers to call those numbers to claim their prizes or collect their financial award.
The messages read “Urgent, your last chance to win”, or “Call me back, urgent, please” and “Finally: you will receive your cheque de $90,000, call for free to see the place of receipt”.
Some international numbers that have been traced as origins of these messages include +25229722106 and +2522973150.
“We advise all our customers not to call or text any unknown international number unless they are sure these are genuine messages,” Vodafone said.
“Call and SMS to these numbers attract heavy charges and could eat away your phone credit very quickly.
“We continue to block such international numbers that have been identified as the origins of these hoax messages.
“However, despite our actions to prevent customers receiving texts from these numbers there is still a possibility that the scam operators could use other mobile numbers from other networks from the originating country and continue sending such hoax messages.”
Vodafone said these messages have been traced to originate from networks in the European and African region.
“We would like to advise the customers that these hoax messages are NOT issued by Vodafone Fiji’s Network,” Vodafone said.
“We urge our customers to exercise caution and not to partake in responding to any messages from unknown sources and parties.”
For more information, customers have been asked to call Vodafone’s toll free customer care line 123 or contact Shailendra Prasad on 9998151.  — Vodafone Fiji

Rai Ki Wai, a private estate on Wakaya Island has sold for US$6.95 million.
The estate hit the market for auction in October.
The bidding was conducted by New York-based Concierge Auctions.
While intel on the details of the auction or sale are scanty, records at Concierge Auctions show the status of the estate as “Sold”.
Also, Keith Winters, Social Media manager at Concierge Auctions tweeted about the sale on January 28.
The estate, Rai Ki Wai (view over the sea) is an estate perched atop the highest spot on the island, spreading over 46 acres. It provides for more than 23,000 square feet of living space.
There are only eight homeowners on the island and this private retreat offers a level of exclusivity that is found in few other places in the world.
Rai Ki Wai was originally offered in the market for US$12 million.
– Reality Today

MWH Global assures commitment to long-term future of our transport network

By RACHNA LAL

A New Zealand-based training programme committed to up skilling Fiji’s transport industry has produced its first successful graduates.
As part of its commitment to developing its own and other agency’s staff knowledge, MWH Global is transferring Fijian trainees to its New Zealand offices.
This is in order to be mentored by its recognised experts whilst they continue to work on Fijian roading projects.
Mereia Kalivakatoga, Graduate Bridge and Structural Engineer at MWH, has recently completed such training in Christchurch.
The knowledge and skills developed during the three month programme is expected to further enhance the participants’ abilities to contribute to building and maintaining Fiji’s roads, bridges and jetties.
Mike Rudge, MWH Fiji Roading Network Manager said: “We are committed to transferring our expert knowledge and up skilling the whole Transportation industry in Fiji.
“This will undoubtedly bring about a sustained improvement to the country’s national roading network.”
Mr Rudge stressed there has been a big amount of knowledge transfer to local staff already from MWH and contractors working in Fiji.
“This has an on-going benefit for the individual, communities and economy,” he said.
“It means the country will become more self-sufficient and, in time, have less reliance on foreign workers to deliver an efficient and effective transport system.”

Successful delivery
Meanwhile, Ms Kalivakatoga said described the training to have been an exceptional experience and a milestone in her career.
“The knowledge I have brought back to Fiji with me has hugely enhanced my design and decision making skills,” she said.
“I am now applying it on a daily basis to successfully deliver the bridges and jetties that are needed here.”
Boosting skills
Tevita Tolio, Senior Road Design Engineer at MWH is currently completing his training in Hastings.
He said: “I am boosting my technical skills and knowledge immensely whilst at the same time working with the experts in New Zealand on a project.
“This will ease traffic congestion in Fiji by giving commuters the option of traveling between Suva and Nausori.
“My new found knowledge will result in the construction of even safer and higher standards of roads in future for the people of Fiji.”

MWH’s plans
MWH anticipates that by the end of 2014 five staff will have benefited from this immersion style training in New Zealand.
They would have enhanced their skills in road safety management, bridge, structures and road design with a programme that brings a lasting improvement in capability.
In January 2012, MWH Global was awarded a five year contract by Government to assist it in establishing the new Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), and to build and maintain the country’s 10,000 kilometers of roads, its 1000 bridges and 44 jetties.
In the next few years, a major reseal and rehabilitation programme is to be implemented across Fiji’s entire road network together with the replacement of unsafe bridges and improvements to traffic signals and streetlights.
MWH Global said this game changing project, its systems, processes and objectives is now being brought to the attention of other governments in the region.
This includes Papua New Guinea, which is increasingly focusing on its infrastructure as its economy continues to grow at one of the fastest rates in the Asia Pacific.

MWH Global’s trainees and resident staff (from left) Tevita Toloi, trainee; and Senior Road Design Engineer, John Aqulala, trainee and Senior CAD technician with Mike Rudge, Fiji Roading Network manager, Mereia Kalivakatoga trainee and Graduate Bridge and Structural engineer; Don Clifford (Technical Delivery manager/Jetties and Bridge Programme Manager – Fiji), Dharmendra Singh (trainee and Traffic engineer). Photo: MWH GLOBAL

Port Moresby: The Papua New Guinea Government willl sell a 50 per cent stake in Air Niugini to the private sector to raise K500 million (FJ$374.5 million) for two more Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Seating 210 to 330 passengers, it costs about US$100 million (K260.58 million) each.
Last year, Air Niugini chief executive Simon Foo announced the company would take delivery of these aircraft in 2017 and 2018.
Mr O’Neill said the government was reforming all state-owned enterprises (SOE) starting with the national flag carrier due to the demand for its services.
He said:  “Our government is now trying to reform many state-owned enterprises and will go into the public-private partnership arrangements where we (government) plan to place state enterprises on stock market.
“First is Air Niugini, why? Because we are trying to buy two Dreamliners (Boeing 767) that the Air Niugini board has already put deposit on.
“The number of travellers on Air Niugini increased to two million last year, for a country of seven million people.
“That is a significant number, so we need to invest in Air Niugini to handle capacity.”
Bigger and better
Mr O’Neill stressed the government needs to make Air Niugini bigger and better.
He said the government has no money to buy those two Dreamliners, which would cost K500 million.
Mr O’Neill said: “To raise that money, we have to go to stock market to raise it from the private sector and mums and dads, who are interested to invest in the national airline.
“We are also looking at other two to three state enterprises — Telikom and PNG Power — we will slowly introduce them to the private sector.
“We want to be transparent and fair; it’s not going to be any sweet heart deal.”
– The National

By RANOBA BAOA

Vision Motors is anticipating opening its Chevrolet franchise showroom within the next couple of weeks.
Vision Group chief executive, PL Munasinghe, confirmed this.
The opening of the Chevrolet showroom in Karsanji Street, Vatuwaqa, would be a major event for the fast-expanding and active-investor – Vision Group.
The showroom is being built where the Courts Service Centre used to be situated.
Mr Munasinghe said they are hoping to get the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to officially open the complex.
In terms of investment, although initial plan was to invest $6 million, but the Vision Group has invested significantly more.
“We mentioned sometimes back that we were looking at $6 million initially but we’re probably investing about $10 million now,” Mr Munasinghe said.
Vision Motors was opened about a year and operates out of a facility on Grantham Road in Raiwaqa and very close to the Chevrolet Showroom.
Vision Motors has got the franchise for Hyundai forklifts, Mahindra tractors from India, HDK products as well as DongFeng and Sino Trucks.
DongFeng is the third largest truck manufacturer in the world and the largest in China.
Since entering the motoring industry the past year, Vision Motors has successfully penetrated the market.
In addition to vehicles, Vision Motors has also got franchise for about three to four different tyre brands and also two to three different brands of lubricants.

About Vision Group

Vision Group is owned by four successful commercial enterprises.
These are RC Manubhai Group, Jack’s of Fiji Group, Challenge Engineering Limited, popularly known for its car business Automart Limited, and Candle Investments Limited, which is the investment arm of lawyers Parshotam and Company.
Vision Group, is the owner of Courts (Fiji) Limited among other ventures.

Vision Motors’ Chevrolet Franchise showroom nears completion in Karsanji Street, Vatuwaqa. Photo: PAULINI RATULAILAI

Vodafone Fiji accountant, Nirav Kumar (right) handing over a cheque to Ashok Kumar whose house was destroyed in a fire. Photo: VODAFONE FIJI

Vodafone Fiji’s staff came to the aid of Ashok Kumar and family after a fire completely destroyed their house in Buiduna, Nausori.
Nirav Kumar, an accountant at Vodafone, took the initiative by making door-to-door plea with the family.
He also approached his colleagues at Vodafone who contributed towards Nirav’s initiative.
Vodafone Fiji Foundation contributed an additional $1000 to supports Nirav’s efforts to assist the burdened family.
“I am thankful to God that all the members of the family were unharmed. However it is a sad time for our family as all we has been destroyed in the fire,” Mr Kumar said.
Nirav and Vodafone Foundation have very supportive towards assisting my family and we thank them for their assistance in this difficult time, said Kumar.
The Kumar family is still in need of funds to rebuild their house as they are living out in a tent and are pleading to the members of the public for assistance in either cash or kind.
Foundation Executive Ambalika Devi said: “Our staff member are always in the forefront to assist the needy in the society through our employee engagement programmes.
“Vodafone Fiji Foundation ensures that we support their efforts.” — Vodafone Fiji

Tourism Fiji is calling on all brides and grooms to have a chance to win their dream destination wedding in Fiji.
As part of the upcoming Fijian Tourism Expo, and in partnership with the Fijian Wedding Industry, one lucky couple will win a $26,000 dream wedding and honeymoon.
The “Pin Your Perfect Wedding” competition on Facebook and Pintrest invites couples to create a Pintrest board of their perfect wedding.
“From the ideal dress, hair and makeup to wedding rings, decorations and venue, we want to see what your perfect tropical wedding would look like,” Tourism Fiji said.
One couple will then win their own island wedding right here in Fiji.
The prize includes return flights for four from any Fiji Airways destination to Fiji and a wedding ceremony on the pristine beach or historical chapel at the Sheraton Resort Denarau.

No worries about preparations
On the day the winners won’t have to worry about a thing.
The set-up, hair and make-up for the bridal party and mother of the bride will all be taken care of.
A bouquet of tropical flowers, a Pure Fiji filled beautiful jewel box and a personalized wedding cake will embellish the special day.
Professional photography and videography will make it one to remember. And of course fine champagne to toast that special ‘I do’ moment.
The happy couple will also enjoy a lavish spa treatment at the Pure Fiji Spa Denarau, as well as a sunset cruise.
After the wedding, they will be whisked away for a four night honeymoon at Nukubati Island.
For more information and to enter the “Pin Your Perfect Wedding” competition, visit http://bit.ly/FijiWeddngComp.
– Tourism Fiji

Tourism Fiji will restructure its online training programme for tour operators, Fiji Matai Specialist Programme, and relaunch the same by mid this year or the first quarter of 2015.
Tourism Fiji chief executive, Rick Hamilton, said: “The Tourism Fiji Board feels the existing programme is outdated and does not meet the requirements of today’s travel trade.”
The relaunch will take place globally, although each programme will be minutely altered to suit tour operators of different countries.
Mr Hamilton was speaking at a roadshow in Delhi this week.
The roadshow was attended by 13 suppliers from Fiji, and witnessed the presence of a good number of travel trade delegates from Delhi and the NCR of Delhi.
The Tourism Fiji Board conducted the roadshow in Mumbai yesterday and in Bengaluru on February 5.

Campaign in India
Further, Tourism Fiji plans to undertake a joint promotional campaign with the Indian travel trade to further promote the destination.
Permanent Secretary for Tourism, Elizabeth Powell, said India is a promising market for them.
“We see a lot of potential in the Indian market and are keen to tap its outbound travellers.”
Tourism numbers
The past year, there were 40 per cent more Indian tourist arrivals in Fiji than 2012, taking the total number to 4000.
Ms Powell said Tourism Fiji expects an increased footfall from India, especially from the high-end segment.
“Among the tourist offerings of Fiji are beaches, scenic spots, jungles and adventure activities such as white water rafting and zip-lining,” she said.

Niche destination
Director North India, Ottila International Sanjiv Nangia described Fiji as a niche destination.
“It is making space in the Indian market because of its unique attractions,” he said.
“A lot of honeymooners are going to Fiji as its visa procedure is simple.
“Fiji has already implemented visa on arrival facility, though its airlines are a little expensive.”
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji sales and events manager, Zahid Khan, said: “We need to work more closely with the Indian travel trade industry.
“Presently, India’s contribution to Fiji tourism is very small.”
– Travel Biz Monitor

The Attorney-General and Minister for Tourism, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (third left), is expected to have met up with the Roadshow delegation in India following the conclusion of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit 2014 the past week. With him are from left: Deputy Secretary Trade and Standards, Maciu Lumelume, Fijian High Commissioner to India, Yogesh Karan, Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority chief executive, Jitoko Tikolevu, Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade, Shaheen Ali and Investment Fiji chairman, Truman Bradley.

Tourism Fiji will restructure its online training programme for tour operators, Fiji Matai Specialist Programme, and relaunch the same by mid this year or the first quarter of 2015.
Tourism Fiji chief executive, Rick Hamilton, said: “The Tourism Fiji Board feels the existing programme is outdated and does not meet the requirements of today’s travel trade.”
The relaunch will take place globally, although each programme will be minutely altered to suit tour operators of different countries.
Mr Hamilton was speaking at a roadshow in Delhi this week.
The roadshow was attended by 13 suppliers from Fiji, and witnessed the presence of a good number of travel trade delegates from Delhi and the NCR of Delhi.
The Tourism Fiji Board conducted the roadshow in Mumbai yesterday and in Bengaluru on February 5.

Campaign in India
Further, Tourism Fiji plans to undertake a joint promotional campaign with the Indian travel trade to further promote the destination.
Permanent Secretary for Tourism, Elizabeth Powell, said India is a promising market for them.
“We see a lot of potential in the Indian market and are keen to tap its outbound travellers.”
Tourism numbers
The past year, there were 40 per cent more Indian tourist arrivals in Fiji than 2012, taking the total number to 4000.
Ms Powell said Tourism Fiji expects an increased footfall from India, especially from the high-end segment.
“Among the tourist offerings of Fiji are beaches, scenic spots, jungles and adventure activities such as white water rafting and zip-lining,” she said.

Niche destination
Director North India, Ottila International Sanjiv Nangia described Fiji as a niche destination.
“It is making space in the Indian market because of its unique attractions,” he said.
“A lot of honeymooners are going to Fiji as its visa procedure is simple.
“Fiji has already implemented visa on arrival facility, though its airlines are a little expensive.”
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji sales and events manager, Zahid Khan, said: “We need to work more closely with the Indian travel trade industry.
“Presently, India’s contribution to Fiji tourism is very small.”
– Travel Biz Monitor

The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) has received around $2.5 million from selling energy (electricity) produced by its sugar mill in Siberia Labasa to the Fiji Electricity Authority.
Fiji Sugar executive chairman, Abdul Khan, said this was FSC’s first partnership with FEA to supply electricity from the mill to the whole of Labasa area.
“We have invested a lot in the production of electricity in Labasa and the investment is slowly paying back,” Mr Khan said.
“$2.5 million for the first year is a good start but we (FEA and FSC) continue to look into ways of improving the product to ensure there are no breakdowns or power cuts in the town.”
FSC had initially invested $18 million in setting the facility for electricity generation which has helped FEA in reducing its fuel bill.
Previously, FEA spent about $13 million annually on fuel for the generation of electricity in Labasa.
FEA chief executive officer Hasmukh Patel said through its power purchase agreement, they were expecting their fuel cost to decrease substantially.
“We were spending about $13 million annually to buy fuel to supply electricity to consumers in Labasa and we have seen a huge reduction on our reliance on fuel for electricity,” Mr Patel said.
2013 was the first year that FSC supplied electricity to FEA for the whole year including during the non – crushing season.
Mr Khan said a new turbine had been dispatched to the mill to improve productivity. — MINFO NEWS

The Reserve Bank of Fiji has revoked Sandalwood Development Limited’s licence to operate as a Foreign Exchange Money Changer with immediate effect.
The company has been a licenced Money Changer since 1998.
Governor of the Reserve Bank, Mr Barry Whiteside said the decision was taken in light of the company’s non-compliance to its Conditions of Licence and the requirements of the Exchange Control Act.
Sandalwood Development Limited is no longer permitted to act as an authorised Money Changer.
Mr Whiteside said: “The Reserve Bank would also like to reiterate that it is an offence under Section 3 of the Exchange Control Act Rev. 1985 to deal or exchange foreign currency without a licence.”
– Reserve Bank of Fiji

Information: Reserve Bank of Fiji

By RACHNA LAL

The Reserve Bank of Fiji received 120 per cent more complaints in 2013 against Licensed Financial Institutions compared to the previous year.
On a quarterly basis, however, 39 per cent less complaints were recorded in the fourth quarter compared to the previous quarter.
This was highlighted by the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s Quarter 4 2013 Complaints Management Update Report released yesterday.
Majority complaints received were for banking fees and charges, lending and mortgage-related complaints.
There were also complaints related to terms and conditions of insurance policy and declinature of insurance claims because of non-disclosure of material information.
The Reserve Bank said it would work closely with Licensed Financial Institutions (LFIs) to effectively manage and resolve complaints.
The central bank further said it is working on a memorandum of understanding with the Fiji Commerce Commission.

Consultative meetings
During the quarter, the Reserve Bank held 13 meetings with complainants. These meetings were aimed at addressing concerns raised by the complainants.
In the quarter, Reserve Bank held 21 meetings with financial institutions.
These meetings were on issues raised by complainants and on ways to resolve them.
In line with the resolution of July 2013 Complaints Management Forum Meeting regarding Complaints Management Posters, 16 spot checks were conducted in Suva.
This included banks and credit institutions, insurance companies and Fiji National Provident Fund.
The spot checks were done to ensure compliance with the policy guideline on Complainants Management.
The Reserve Bank noted that most of the Licensed Financial Institutions displayed the posters at strategies location which are frequented by the public.

Customers assured as search begins for new premises

The Courts (Fiji) Limited warehouse and service centre in Lautoka destroyed by a fire which broke out on Monday. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA

By RACHNA LAL

Courts (Fiji) Limited has not yet been able to ascertain the cost of damage caused by the fire which destroyed the building in Lautoka which housed their warehouse and service centre.
Courts (Fiji) chief executive, PL Munasinghe, said: “Our accounting people are trying to estimate the cost of damage at the moment.
“At the moment we are only tabulating all the various components of what was destroyed.”
He said this might take about a week or so.
Mr Munasinghe said the damage sustained by Courts would be only for the contents inside the building as they were only renting the premises.
“The building actually belonged to our external landlord. Our loss was really the content inside the building,” he said.
Mr Munasinghe confirmed that along with their general merchandise, they had some items inside the building of customers that were pending repairs.
He said the only customers who had been affected were those whose items were there.
“We will be contacting the customers and trying to come to some sort of arrangement with them,” he said.

Next course of action

Mr Munasinghe said their priority at the moment was to restore operations as soon as possible.
“We have to look for outlet premises for the various operations that were there and we have to do that pretty quickly,” he said.
Cause of fire

Mr Munasinghe said the National Fire Authority and Police are doing their enquiries as to what led to the fire which had broken out about midday on Monday.
“The area has been quarantined and Police and NFA are carrying out investigations to determine the cause of fire,” he said.
Mr Munasinghe assured their outlet in Lautoka is operational.
“We want to restore the other operations very soon within the next week or so,” he said.

Julie Bishop

Canberra: Australia’s foreign minister left for Papua New Guinea, vowing to strengthen economic and business ties.
Julie Bishop says a number of items are on the agenda, including PNG’s role in combatting people smuggling, its leadership in supporting Fiji’s elections and its commitment to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in 2018.
She says she will also meet the prime minister Peter O’Neill aand the immigration and foreign minister, Rimbink Pato.
The Australian foreign ministry says Australia is PNG’s largest trading partner and its investment in PNG is worth more than 17 billion US dollars – almost equal to Australia’s investment in China.
Ms Bishop will join a discussion about opportunities for women in business and public life and will announce a 2.6 million US-dollar project to provide medical support, shelter and legal support to vulnerable women and children.
-  RNZI.

Air New Zealand ... cabin crew attacked on flight to Bali.

Auckland – Airlines want new international laws to cover unruly passenger behaviour – such as the case where Air New Zealand cabin crew were attacked on a flight to Bali.
An International Air Transport Association survey found that in a four-year period to 2011 there were 15,000 cases reported. It can cost airlines between $12,000 and $250,000 to disembark or deliver unruly passengers.
In a paper to back a push for changes to international rules, the association says many other incidents probably go unreported.
“The problem is that in the contained, stressful environment of a commercial aircraft in flight, the type of behaviour which might be tolerable in the street takes on a whole different nature.”
Member airlines say they are concerned about the safety and security issues this creates and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will meet in March to update rules following IATA lobbying.
The association says the 1963 Tokyo convention is applicable to “crimes and other unlawful acts on board aircraft in international carriage,” but is primarily aimed at dealing with hijackings which are now covered by another treaty.
“We believe it is time to revise it to close some gaps and give states the tools to deter and punish unruly behaviour and give airlines more clarity of when and how they can act.”
The Tokyo convention grants jurisdiction over offences to the state of registration of the aircraft in question but this is complicated when airlines have to unload passengers in different countries.
The state where the aircraft is registered will not necessarily be the state of the aircraft operator such as when an aircraft is leased. In 1980 airlines leased 3 per cent of all aircraft and owned 97 per cent, but by 2012, airlines leased about 40 per cent of all planes and this is predicted to reach 50 per cent leased by 2015.
The association also wanted rules over immunity for airlines and their crew clarified. In some cases they have to restrain passengers using plastic handcuffs.
“Immunity for the airline and its employees is critical if crews are to have the confidence to deal with any challenge to safety and security aboard an aircraft.”
New Zealand Flight Attendants and Related Services Association secretary Peter Bentley said problem passengers were not such a big issue in this part of the world but any incident was a concern.
The attack on two Air New Zealand staff on the Bali flight was extreme and since 9/11 airlines and passengers were generally less tolerant of bad behaviour on planes.
He said problems were often caused when travellers ignored the one-to-three ratio; one drink in the air had the same affect as three on the ground.

Mile high fight club

q Last year a Dunedin woman bit one flight attendant and kicked another forcibly in the testicles during a drunken rampage on an Air New Zealand flight to Bali with her partner.
q Last December two passengers attacked a flight attendant after being refused the use of a business class toilet on a flight from Krasnoyarsk to Moscow. The plane was forced to make an emergency landing and the flight attendant was hospitalised
q Last year the South China Morning Post reported violent attacks on cabin crew during flights between Hong Kong and the mainland were becoming so common they often go unreported. In one case a physical and verbal attack on a flight attendant was cheered by others on board frustrated by a six-hour tarmac delay.
q In March 2012 a woman attacked crew members on a flight from North Carolina to Florida. She kicked and spat on the female flight attendant who refused to serve her alcohol and also kicked a male flight attendant in the groin before being restrained with hand ties.
- New Zealand Herald.

Merchant Finance staff at their newly opened office at Damodar City Centre yesterday. Photo: MARAIA VULA

By MARAIA VULA

Merchant Finance Limited, a subsidiary of Fijian Holdings Limited, was officially opened for business at Damodar City Centre in Raiwai yesterday.
Company manager corporate Nilesh Chand said the investment was more than $60,000 and expected a big return.
“We are into motor vehicle financing, multi-purpose loans, machinery, plant and equipment financing, business and working capital loans, term Deposit and Investments (high notes) wide range of insurance products,” Mr Chand said.
“My job is to locate Merchant Finance where it hasn’t been for the last 25 years.”
At the moment five employees are working in this outlet.

Office Location
He said the new location was ideal to help them roll out their latest product.
“We are using our existing staff with this new portfolio we have created a new product which is called Rural Lending.
“We have been looking around for business in this area and marketing around Laucala Bay…nearby areas basically to get most businesses.
“Looking at our analysis most of the customer inflow is here and one of the best thing is for our customers to walk into our office where there is parking space available below,” he said.

By RANOBA BAOA

Some members of the Public Service Vehicle industry have welcomed the first consultation process for the Review of the Greater Suva Transportation Strategy saying it was a timely one.
Tebara Transport Limited managing director Arvind Maharaj said that as the transport industry changes, so do policies.
In saying so, he said there was a need to come up with a model so as to ensure that traffic congestion, road accidents and other issues are addressed or otherwise prevented efficiently.
“The bus industry like other transportation industries is changing. And I’d like to see efficient, safe and reliable transportation is accessible to all,” Mr Maharaj said.
“So we need to look diversifying holistically from a global perspective. So it’s good that we are having this and I’m very pleased that we are part of it and share my experience and the challenges we face daily.”
Suva Taxi Association representative Rama Mudaliar, also managing director of Regent Taxis, said the biggest concern by the taxi operators in Suva were outside operators.
“What they (operators outside Suva area) do is they drive around  Suva creating a lot of hazard to the traffic movement and they tag for the passengers,” he said.
“They have no base, no stand. Most of them don’t have the base because they come from the Western side.”
He urged regulators to impose stringent regulations that can also protect their business.
He welcomed the consultations and was looking forward to seeing the final product.