From left: Fiji Institute of Accountants president, Cama Raimuria, financial controller of Vodafone Fiji, Elenoa Biukoto, and Westpac Fiji general manager Adrian Hughes with the Westpac/Vodafone sponsorship cheque of $75,000 yesterday. The sponsorship money is for the Fiji Institute of Accountants annual congress at the Sheraton Fiji Resort. Photo: WESTPAC
Westpac, Vodafone give biggest sponsorship
By RACHNA LAL
Accountants from around the country will converge at the Sheraton Fiji Resort from June 7 to June 9 for the 41st Fiji Institute of Accountants Congress.
The theme for this year’s congress is “The Challenge of Change”.
President of the Fiji Institute of Accountants, Cama Raimuria, stressed the need to embrace changes given the initiatives currently under way.
“Fiji will soon be having a new constitution. New company laws are about to be introduce and many other changes affecting the business community are happening,” he said.
“Any business in today’s fast-moving environment that is looking for the pace of change to slow is likely to be sorely disappointed.
“In fact, businesses should embrace change. Change is important for any organisation because, without change, businesses would likely lose their competitive edge,” he said.
Westpac, Vodafone sponsorship
Westpac Banking Corporation, with their partners, Vodafone Fiji, handed over their sponsorship cheque of $75,000 for the annual congress yesterday.
The much-anticipated annual congress is well-attended by influential policy-makers, business professionals, executives and members of the Fiji Institute of Accountants.
Westpac Fiji general manager, Adrian Hughes, said: “The congress provides a platform for dynamic and interesting presentations and discussions.
“This would assist decision-makers and business professionals plus it also provides an opportunity for relationship building within the corporate and business sector.”
Meanwhile, Vodafone Fiji financial controller, Elenoa Biukoto, stressed accountants today face far greater challenge to maintain their relevance.
“The accounting profession is not just about compliance with regulations and historical reporting,” she said.
“They are rather a proactive profession seeking out opportunities for growth, improvement and relevance.”
Mr Raimuria noted the sponsorship for this year’s event is by far the biggest ever to be received by the Institute in its 41 years of existence.
“That clearly demonstrates the Congress is of high value and still maintains its status as Fiji’s premier business forum,” he said.
Speakers
Mr Raimuria said this year’s congress has an interesting line-up of speakers to deliver on a mix of business and economic issues.
“We also have an equally good line-up of panellists to deliberate on some key issues,” he said.
Line-up of speakers
- Devadas Krishnadas – The founder of Future Moves, Singapore and South East Asia’s first business foresight consultancy will deliver the keynote address on “The challenge of Change”.
- Ian Taruita – Chief executive of Papua New Guinea’s National Superannuation Fund (NASFUND) and chairman of the Papua New Guinea Provident Fund. He will present on “A Pacific Perspective on Investment Opportunities in Fiji”.
- Justin Smirk – Senior economist of the Westpac Group will deliver on “Sovereign debt and its impact on growth”.
- Anubhav Sinha – Acclaimed Indian film director will present on “From Bollywood to Bulawood”.
- Ram Bajekal – FMF Foods Limited group chief executive will speak on the “Challenge of growth in the Pacific”.
- Mark Mahoney – general manager of Mindpearl Call Center will present on “ICT- Bringing the world to Fiji”.
- Razim Buksh – Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, will speak on “The Nexus Between Anti-Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering Systems in Fiji”.