Business
Goundar Shipping commissions new inter-island vessel
GOUNDAR Shipping commissioned its latest addition to its fleet – the Lomaiviti VIII in Suva today. The new vessel, acquired from Japan at about $2.2million, will service the Natovi-Nabouwalu route. “We’re hoping to get the ship...
Fiji Airways scoops top award; Flight attendants ranked among top 20
FIJI Airways has leapfrogged from fourth to first place to scoop the “Best Airline Staff in Australia Pacific”, acknowledging the airline’s continued commitment to world-class service and customer experience. The national airlines’ flight attendants have also been ranked among the top 20 in the world in the Skytrax Best Airline Cabin Crew awards. In addition,...
Stop-work order issued to WG Friendship Plaza developers in Fiji
A STOP-work order has been issued to developers of the WG Friendship Plaza in Fiji’s capital city Suva after they allegedly broke boundary laws, encroaching a nearby property. Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar said the stop-work notice had been issued to WG Friendship Plaza by the Suva City Council. Mrs Kumar said the notice...
Eviation targets commuters with electric plane Alice
LE BOURGET, France (Reuters) – An electric plane capable of flying up to 650 miles with nine passengers made its debut at the Paris Airshow on Tuesday, with its manufacturer targeting regional commuter routes such as the French capital to the southern city of Toulouse. Eviation Aircraft said the plane – called Alice – was...
Japan says G20 summit to debate trade including WTO reform
TOKYO (Reuters) – Substantial discussions on trade, including reform of the World Trade Organization, will likely take place at a summit of Group of 20 major economies next week in Osaka, a senior Japanese finance ministry official said on Wednesday. Japan, which chairs this year’s G20 gatherings, will take a neutral stance in the U.S.-China...
FBOA agrees to begin providing audited accounts
MEMBERS of the Fiji Bus Operators Association have unanimously agreed to begin providing audited accounts for each of their companies from the next financial year. According to FBOA, at the annual general meeting held on Saturday, June 15, 2019, the members agreed that electronic ticketing data now provided a good basis for tracking and auditing...
19th June
Fiji Airways awarded coveted Skytrax 4-Star rating
FIJI Airways has been awarded the coveted Skytrax 4-Star rating at the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards in Paris, joining a select group of elite airlines in this prestigious category. At the same awards, Fiji Airways also leapfrogged from 4th to 1st place to claim the “Best Airline Staff in Australia Pacific”, acknowledging the airline’s...
Bainimarama can explain GDP better, says Reddy
PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is the only person who can explain the gross domestic product (GDP) better than anyone else in Parliament, Agriculture and Environment Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy told Parliament yesterday. Responding to the 2019-2020 National Budget, he claimed certain Opposition MPs had criticised Mr Bainimarama’s explanation on GDP during a radio interview. “Mr...
Seruiratu: A safe Fiji to attract investors
THE Fiji Police Force plays an important role in creating an investor-friendly environment in Fiji, said Defence and National Security Minister Inia Seruiratu in Parliament yesterday. Speaking on the 2019-2020 National Budget, he said the Force had been allocated $800,000 to enhance the necessary capabilities for enforcers. “We can’t bring in foreign investors if we...
Sayed-Khaiyum responds to Rabuka
THE Opposition Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, has forgotten the “doom” he created when he overthrew government in 1987. Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum made this comment in his right of reply to the 2019-2020 National Budget in Parliament last night. “Fijians can now compare for themselves the Rabuka doom with the Bainimarama boom,” he said. “The...
Government remains devoted, says A-G in budget reply
GOVERNMENT remains committed to building a liberal economy despite opposition critics. This was highlighted by the Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in his right of reply to the 2019-2020 National Budget in Parliament last night. “The Bainimarama boom will now be forever etched in the minds of people,” he said. “With all the criticisms raised...
Tough days ahead for Fijian Government, says MP Tabuya
THE 2019-2020 National Budget has policies aimed to reduce Government’s budget deficits through spending cuts and tax increases. Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya made the comments during her budget response in Parliament yesterday. “The truth is, this is an austerity budget, austerity measures are used by governments around the world that find it difficult to pay...
18th June
‘Integrated hub’
FIJI is the integrated hub for economic development in the Pacific and proves to be a great market choice for international investors. The permanent secretary for the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Shaheen Ali, highlighted this at the opening of the MERCOSUR-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce (MACC) Trade and Technical Mission to Fiji at the...
Master electricians
THE National Electrical Contractors Association of Fiji will ensure standards are put in place with the membership of electrical contractors. According to the interim vice-president, Roneel Prasad, NECAF would ensure a nationwide network of electrical businesses to operate under the NECAF Master Electricians Brand. “The association will ensure to use Master Electricians Brand and rebrand...
17th June
Demand for fake goods poses challenge
THE influx of fake mobile phones into the country is being driven by two factors — the desire for people to own the latest gadgets and consumers being unaware that the product they have bought is counterfeit. This, according to Consumer Council of Fiji manager campaigns, information and media Tevita Vuibau during a presentation in...
Stock exchange unveils new look, outdoor ticker display
THE South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX) celebrated a milestone with the official launch of its rebranded image and an outdoor stock ticker display screen at its new home in Victoria Pde, Suva last Friday. SPX chairwoman Dr Nur Bano Ali said it was an exciting step undertaken by the SPX board and management towards a...
Seeto re-elected as FHTA president
IT’S not about me but the thousands of Fijians who go to work every day and give visitors to this country the best possible holiday experience. This was the sentiment shared by re-elected Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) president Dixon Seeto after its members placed him back in the driver’s seat during the organisation’s...
Association to promote the members interests
THE Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association is looking to the 2019/2020 National Budget period to continue to promote the interests of its members. “We recognise that in a time of global uncertainty and global downturn, the Government has had a pragmatic view of how they are going to structure the budget and you can see...
15th June
Call to work together
THE bus industry has been urged to work together in finding solutions to issues it faces. The Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum while officiating at the Fiji Bus Operators Association’s 2019 Annual General Meeting in Lami this morning, pointed out that by doing so, it allows the association to work out its own...
New SPX office and re-branded logo hopes to attract more private sector investment
THE new South Pacific Stock Exchange office (SPX) and its new re-branded logo hopes to attract more private sector investment and create more visibility for the company. While launching the new office yesterday in Suva Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum highlighted a few tax-free incentives that Government had announced in the 2019/2020 National Budget that will encourage...
Best on the island
RADISSON Blu Resort and Spa’s six-month-old restaurant Basilico has been voted the best restaurant on Denarau Island by Trip Advisor. The Italian restaurant was the stand out for guests who voted for the Top 10 restaurant’s on the island for 2019. Resort general manager Charles Homsy said it was a great recognition of the effort...
Call for support
STAKEHOLDERS from the fishing industry plan to request Government for some support in complying with the phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) from fishing vessels. Concerns were raised by fishing vessel companies and refrigeration companies on how the change will impact their business because the change required them to replace the refrigeration systems being used on...
Increase in building permit applications
THE total number of building permit applications in 2018 stood at 1725 with a value of $370 million. This was highlighted by the Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Local Government, Housing and Community Development, Premila Kumar, while officiating at the opening of the second Construction Industry Council (CIC) trade show on Wednesday. The number of...
Rate of home ownership ‘low’
THE rate of home ownership and rate of insurance overall is low with only 10 per cent of the properties in the country being insured. This was highlighted by the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Public Enterprises, Civil Service and Communications, Aiyaz Sayed-Khayium. While giving his keynote address at the 2019 Construction Industry Council (CIC)...
14th June
MIIT, FNPF ink MoU
A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MoU) that will secure Fiji National Provident Fund’s (FNPF) support as a primary developer and management services provider of the development and construction process of the Zone was signed today by the the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (MITT) and FNPF. Overall, the MOU will guide the land use, development...
FCCC extends EFL tariff submissions deadline
THE Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) has received more than 1350 submissions from members of the public on the proposed increase of electricity tariff by Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL). With the increase in interest from people on the issue the FCCC has extended the deadline to June 28 for written submissions on the proposed...
2019-2020 budget focused on lifting the economy: AG
WE need to be able to grow the economy and the way to grow the economy is to ensure that we have new standards, new way of thinking, new architectural plans, new ideas so that collaboratively we can do a lot. These were the sentiments of the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum while...
Department store launches new collection
AWARD winning fashion designer Robert Kennedy has teamed up with Prouds to promote his fashion label RKFJ in two of their flagship stores with plans to expand the brand into other outlets in future. A press release from Prouds yesterday said the range featured at Prouds Suva Central and Prouds Downtown Nadi also carried the...
‘Need more foreign direct investment’
TOURISM makes up about 38 per cent of Fiji’s gross domestic product (GDP) while private investment makes up only 15 per cent, says Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Premila Kumar. Mrs Kumar said the Government planned to increase investment further, therefore, an increase in foreign direct investment was needed. In her interview with fDi...
Capitalising on fashion trends
SOCIAL media is a useful tool to gauge what is trending and one business is trying to capitalise on the latest shift in the fashion industry. Sharlin Singh is the owner of a high-end fashion outlet called SP Trendsetter located in Nabua, Suva. The 23-year-old may have opened the doors to her clothing outlet on...
