By RACHNA LAL
ANZ chief executive, Mike Smith, in his most recent visit to Fiji, has assured the bank’s strong commitment towards their business in Fiji.
“Our Fijian business provides a pipeline of talent to the rest of the Pacific businesses,” he said.
Mr Smith made these comments this week as he was hosted to a cocktail by ANZ chief executive Pacific and Fiji, Vishnu Mohan, as part of his scheduled Pacific tour.
“Our confidence and commitment to the region is demonstrated in the successful relocation of ANZ’s Pacific headquarters from our global headquarters in Melbourne to Suva,” he said.
“This important transition was made possible thanks to the Fijian Government’s forward-looking initiative of establishing meaningful incentives for global organisations such ours, to establish regional headquarters in Fiji.”
Mr Smith said ANZ continues to encourage this sort of support for foreign and domestic private investment as an effective way to drive the economic development and better diversify the economy.
The Suva-hub
Mr Smith stressed ANZ also continues to strengthen their Suva Hub as a centre of excellence which is located in the Kalabu Tax Free Zone in Nasinu.
“The Suva Hub – known as ANZ Pacific Operations – plays a vital role in centralising operations to Fiji,” he said.
“This is as part of an exercise to further drive operational simplification, standardisation and efficiency to better serve our customers.
“This initiative strategically aligns with our super-regional strategy to enhance connectivity across our core markets in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific.”
Super-regional strategy
Mr Smith said their presence in Fiji is an important part of their super-regional growth strategy.
“We aim to generate 25 to 30 per cent of our Group earnings outside of Australia/New Zealand by 2017 and our super-regional footprint is key to helping us achieve this,” he said.
“It puts us in a unique position to be the best-connected bank for our customers.
“Investing and growing in the Pacific is an important part of helping us to do this.”