By RACHNA LAL
Fiji’s Ambassador to Japan, Isikeli Mataitoga, has labeled the 2014 International Private Label Show in Japan as an important event to understand Japanese importers requirements.
The four-day trade show started in Japan on Tuesday with two Fijian companies taking to the stage Fijian products.
Mr Mataitoga said requirements in the sense for manufactured goods going into Japan from outside, especially with the packaging and labeling of products.
“These are important elements of the export chain that countries like Fiji, and in particular companies that exports to the Japanese, must fully appreciate and accommodate in their product manufacturing chain,” he said.
FMF Foods Limited’s Biscuit Company of Fiji and Punja & Sons were chosen by the Pacific Island Centre and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, to participate in the trade show through Japanese Government funding.
Mr Mataitoga, along with all the diplomatic staff of the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, turned up to support the two representatives.
Biscuit Company of Fiji is being represented by Group Exports manager, Jason Chandra, while Punja & Sons Limited by Sital Kumar.
Mr Mataitoga said the event provides an excellent opportunity for the representatives of the two Fijian companies to meet business contact from Japan and Asia, who may be keen to import Fijian made goods exhibited by the two companies.
Trade diplomacy
The Fijian diplomats came to visit and to express solidarity to the two representatives of the companies and for a few hours actually assist in actual promotion itself.
Mr Mataitoga believes this type of hands-on support and assistance from Fijian diplomats to representatives of Fijian companies who visit their country of accreditation, is part of the trade diplomacy activities they need to undertake more.
“It actually makes the diplomats appreciate and value the importance of our Fijian businesses and the challenges they face,” he said.
“It also provides an opportunity to discuss with Fijian business representatives present, how to best assist them in niche market identification of their Fijian made products in Japan and in other market specific information relevant for Japan.”
There will be diplomats from the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo attending at the booth for the two companies on each day of the four-day event and helping in the actual promotion and booth management.