Rapist father sentenced to 15 years

Being the best

Over the next few weeks, I will be exploring seven habits which can help us be the best we can be. Today my focus is on the idea of being proactive. According to Stephen Covey, this is the foundation of the other habits of successful people. There are many things in life that we have...

Exchange highlights 2021 plans

A new development planned by the South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX) will certainly increase the multiplicity of listed investible products on SPX and will offer a new platform for businesses wishing to raise capital, says acting CEO Pretesh Prasad. As part of their 2021 outlook, the SPX expects to launch a market for the issuance...

Listed entities paid out $32.58m in dividends last year

In 2020 listed entities paid out a total of $32.58 million in dividends when compared with $62.26m paid out in 2019. The South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX) stated that last year saw COVID-19 pandemic forcing listed entities to reassess their financial projections amid the rapidly evolving business landscape. According to the SPX acting CEO Pretesh...

Academy raises awarness on bycatch to fishers

The Fiji Maritime Academy (FMA) at the Fiji National University so far has trained 57 fishers in the country under the NZ Aid project “The Sustainable and Responsible Tuna and Longline Fisheries”. This was highlighted by FMA lecturer Captain Tevita Robanakadavu while speaking at the “Bycatch Best Handling Practices: A Guideline for Skippers and Crew...

Mitigate job losses

While jobs in the tourism related industries are at high risk, essential work has been relatively insulated from the pandemic, says a new report released by the World Bank. The report Pacific Island Countries in the era of COVID 19: Macroeconomic impacts and job prospects, states that according to the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association,...

Program set to create jobs for more than 40 people

The National Forest Inventory is set to create employment for more than 40 individuals who were undergoing training for two weeks yesterday. According to the Redd+ Project Fiji team leader Ilaisa Tulele’s they had put out an advertisement as they were also looking to those who had already done inventory work as this was a...

NFI creates opportunities

The National Forest Inventory (NFI) is going to be critical for Fiji in 2021 as it would help identify opportunities and possibilities for future growth given the economic downturn and impacts of climate change. Ministry of Forestry permanent secretary Pene Baleinabuli, during the official opening of the training program for Fiji’s National Forest Inventory yesterday,...

Survey to cost $2m

The National Forest Inventory is estimated to cost around more than $2 million to carry out as there are around 700 plots to be surveyed across the country. This was revealed by the Redd+ Project Fiji team leader Ilaisa Tulele who had been tasked to complete the field data by July this year. “So if...

Winners revealed

Crest Chicken and Shop N Save announced the winners of its eight week long “WIN CASH” Promotion. Mohammed Shameem was the winner for the major draw prize of $5000 cash while Nina Samuela was the winner of second prize of five bags of Crest Chicken whole bird. According to the operations manager of Shop N...

Negative impact

COVID-19 continues to have a negative impact on businesses overall as borders remain closed, however the severity of its impact on businesses has slightly improved. The 10th PTI Pacific Business Monitor has reported the lowest percentage of revenue decline, as well as negative impacts caused by COVID-19, since tracking began in May last year. According...

The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) says our foreign reserves are expected to remain comfortable till end-2018. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA

RBF: Mobile money services processed $71m

Mobile money platforms processed $71.1 million in 2019, according to the Reserve Bank of Fiji. The RBF revealed this before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights while making submissions on the National Payments Systems Bill 2020 last week. In 2014, the mobile platforms processed around $13.1 million which was an increase...

Bus company to face disciplinary action

Tacirua Transport Company Ltd (TTCL) will face disciplinary action from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for illegally operating a school bus route without prior authorisation. LTA chief executive officer Samuel Simpson said it was against the law for bus operators to operate outside of their authorised Road Route Licence (RRL). “Bus operators are aware of...

Fast fashion – from Spain to Suva

What on earth could Suva based women’s clothing retailer KoKo have in common with the world’s largest clothing retailer ZARA? Operating from its beautifully fitted shop just around the corner of Marks and Thomson streets in the Tower Insurance building near Tappoo City, it is not hard to find this delightful store offering a uniquely...

Alternative for farmers

A 23-year-old is producing organic fertiliser from his home in Narere to provide farmers with a cheaper yet healthier alternative to chemical fertilisers. Joeli Waqanivalu runs his own organic fertiliser business which he started before the COVID-19 pandemic struck last year. He said the idea of using organic fertilisers came from what he learnt in...

Exchange looks back at performance

With most businesses still reeling from the impact of the pandemic, the South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX) expects share price volatility and mixed investor sentiment to continue in the short term as the uncertainties surrounding the pandemic are gradually offset with hopes of economic recovery bringing in investor optimism in 2021. In the SPX Stock...

Minam to end his tenure in April

Outgoing ANZ country head Saud Minam says he looks forward to his next challenge and is excited to stay in Fiji and contribute to the vibrant economy, community and culture. In a media release yesterday, ANZ regional executive for the Pacific, Tessa Price said Mr Minam had done a fantastic job leading the ANZ team...

Bank plans to grow its presence

BRED Bank (Fiji) is looking to expand its services outside of Suva as there is greater growth potential in areas such as Sigatoka and Lautoka. CEO of the bank Thierry Charras-Gillot said they were committed to growing their business in Fiji, and were confident of the Fijian economy, “Our customer base has increased despite the...

$5.8m paid

The first payment for Phase 2 Round 4 was released this week to 26,549 members whereby a total of $5.8 million was paid, of which $4.7m was topped-up by Government. The Fiji National Provident Fund also added that a special payment run will be disbursed today to approximately 400 members whose applications required further verification...

New World Bank Group Plan for Fiji to focus on recovery and resilience from COVID-19 and cyclones

WASHINGTON D.C., January 21, 2021 – Today, the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank Group (WBG) discussed the new framework for its engagement with Fiji over the next four years, aimed at boosting the Fijian economy and strengthening its fiscal, climate and social resilience following the impacts of two tropical cyclones, and the...

New shipping service to allow access to ports in New Zealand

Sirius Star Services Ltd has announced it will begin its operations between mid to late March this year, allowing customers a new form of access to ports in New Zealand. According to the global leader in shipping services, Maersk, this dedicated Fiji service would provide its customers with a weekly service from Suva and Lautoka...

Miller appointed new trade commissioner

A Fijian national has been appointed as Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) New Zealand’s new trade commissioner. According to a statement from the organisation, Glynis Miller was appointed after a recruitment drive in November, 2020. Ms Miller was stated to have been acting in the role since October, 2019 and took the acting position in Aotearoa,...

Company focuses on giving back

RB Patel Group Ltd has been cautious in terms of where the company puts its marketing or advertising finances because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was according to the general manager operations Fiji, Jignesh Chauhan, who said even though companies were reducing their budgets, they had to remember the customers who contributed to their businesses....

ANZ Fiji country head announces his departure

With his tenure with the ANZ business in Fiji expected to end on April 30 this year, ANZ Fiji country head Saud Minam says he is proud to see so many in their management team thriving in their roles. Mr Minam said he enjoyed every minute of his time at ANZ Fiji and was especially...

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