PAUL JADURAM - r Hobbies - Sports example bowling r Ambition in life - To further excel in business r Most proud of - My Children r Biggest regret - Should have control at air fares pilot Britain r Role model - Charan Jeath Singh r One thing hate the most - Telling lies r One person I want to meet - Actor Mel Gibson r Want to go back in time to see - Shoes and clothing r Inspiration - My grandmother Ms Buchoni Jaganath, who raised funds to build the Old People’s Home know Senior Citizens home in Labasa. Through her effort she was a mid-wife.
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 Jaduram family has been well-known in the business community in the North since the early 1900’s.
They have slowly and progressively made their way into the bigger Fijian business community across the nation with continued investments.
Descendant, Paul Jaduram, therefore cannot be looked upon as a stranger in Labasa having started his own business in 1975, under the name of Paul Jaduram Investment.
A businessman and a hotel operator, Mr jaduram reflected on how the family started off with the business.
Mr Jaduram’s grandfather, Jaganath and his grandfather’s brother, Nanhu, started a ‘general merchant store’ (today referred to as supermarkets), right in the mid-town of Labasa Main Street
Mr Jaduram said they started this general store in late 192o’s, to be able to service the Ind0-Fijian community.
“The other two general merchants were Morris Hedstrom and Burn’s Philip (BP) Company Limited, which was mainly servicing Colonial residents in Labasa,” he said.
“My Grandfather in his will left all properties and assets to my father, Seth Jaduram who afterwards passed on to all his sons.
“So we all continued to follow our father’s footsteps and today, we all have our own business that is in construction company, earth moving company, hotels, Pizza House and real estates.”
Mr Jaduram started his own business in 1975, under the name of Paul Jaduram Investments
Limited when he leased hotel Takia.
“My company built one only Island Resort in Macuata, called Nukubati Island Resort but I sold this resort in 1990 because of the 1987 coup,” he said.
“I also had seven rental car plates, burger shops in Suva and Labasa and hot bread shop in Labasa, which I also sold after the 1987 coup.”
Business interests today
Today, Mr Jaduram owns Hotel Northwinds in Labasa and built Labasa’s first shopping mall, Nothwinds Plaza last year through Jaduram Investment Limited.
Mr Jaduram is also the president for Macuata Tourism Association and is the incoming president for Rotary Club Labasa.
He has also indicated plans for investing in Suva in a five-storey hotel in Gordon Street in the Capital’s central business district.
Questions for Paul Jaduram, managing director of Jaduram Investments Limited and owner of Hotel Northwinds:
1. You and your family have been long-time investors in the North. Why the confidence?
One simple answer – because it’s our birth place.
2. Which areas do you see increasing potential in the North?
There is a lot of increasing potential especially in Labasa (Macuata).
3. As someone who has been involved in business in the North for a long time, how would you say the North economy is doing currently?
I would say there is a slight increase if we look at the Northern economy at present.
4. How has Government’s Look North policy benefited you?
The Look North Policy by the Government is good and I welcome the move and there is potential for future development.
However, I feel the minimum investment required to qualify for the above is high.
The Government should bring down the thrash hole in order for the entrepreneurs to advance in their new projects.
5. In terms of tourism, can more be done to assist?
Yes, Labasa needs a sea port for larger cruise liners to be able to come in. If this is done, it will then, amongst other benefits, create employment in large numbers benefiting everyone.
6. As a hotel operator yourself, what are some of the challenges you face in terms of the tourism industry?
One of the biggest challenges I face is high air fares from Viti Levu to Vanua Levu and return. This is something that is deterring the visitors from coming our shores in the North.
Also another challenge is the baggage weight restriction.
7. How can these be overcome?
Attention needs to be paid to reduce air fares and increase baggage allowances.
8. Your new investment will be in Suva – a five-storey hotel complex. Why decide venturing out into Suva?
As the famous saying goes: “Do not put all your eggs in one basket”. Investments in Suva will always improve cash flow for our business. If in case something ever goes wrong with Northern economy, businesses would start suffering.
Therefore, by branching out, there would be something else to fall back to. Also, we have been in the North long enough and it is about time to branch out elsewhere.
9. How much will you be investing in this hotel?
This will be a five-storey hotel building with 30 rooms and a small conference but we are still finalising the designs getting all relevant approvals.
I am looking at investing close to $3 million into this. The construction is expected to start in a couple of months’ time as we are currently awaiting a few final approvals.
10. Generally, what would you want to be improved in the North to create a more economically viable environment?
More jobs creation industries such as farming.