Marine biologist named a Bulanaire

Collective views

THE Fiji Bus Operators Association must get its governance systems in order, says Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission CEO Joel Abraham. Speaking at a press conference during the bus fare increase announcement on Thursday, he said it was obvious the association was unaware of issues affecting individual members. “We require that if an association is...

We are not coerced, says Abraham

WE were not coerced to increase bus fares, says Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission CEO and chair of the Bus Fare Independent Review Committee Joel Abraham. He made the comment during a press conference where he announced a fare increase of seven cents per stage for adults beginning February 10 and for school children beginning...

Commission explains decision

AN increase in bus drivers wages, some as much as $200 per week, was a key factor in granting bus operators a fare increase of seven cents per stage from February 10. This according to Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission CEO and chair of the Bus Fare Independent Review Committee Joel Abraham. He also said...

Gap in skills

The tourism sector is one of the biggest employers in the country, however, those entering this workforce lack either experience or qualifications. According to the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association chief executive officer Fantasha Lockington, there was a lack of focus on tourism being the biggest employer and how it should change people’s mindset on...

FNPF appoints two new directors

THE Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) has appointed two new directors to the FNPF Board. The new directors are Daksesh Patel and Mukhtar Ali. These appointments follow the retirement of Ajith Kodagoda and Tevita Kuruvakadua who had served two consecutive terms. Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said Mr Patel and Mr Ali were highly regarded...

Local and overseas firms advised to register digitally

LOCAL and overseas companies and businesses that operate in Fiji and were registered before June 14, 2019, need to digitally register again with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). The Fijian Government in a Facebook post reiterated this saying this mandatory, one-time digital registration process is completely free and has commenced from January 15, 2020. “As...

A sweet venture

IT’S locally produced with no artificial ingredients or additives and it’s contributing to economic empowerment of local farmers. Known as KokoMana, this start-up company makes its chocolate by hand in small batches, at a small but modern facility, nestled in the forest of Savusavu facing the bay. The products have been supplied to resorts and...

Commission agrees to 7 cents increase

BUS operators had wanted bus fares to increase by as much as $1.50 for stage one. This was the revelation by Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission CEO and chair of the Bus Fare Independent Review Committee, Joel Abraham. He said after careful analysis and reviewing submissions from more than 13,000 individuals, the FCCC had agreed...

Chaudhry: Low income earners the hardest hit

THE Fiji Labour Party says the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission has “dealt a staggering blow” to the pockets of low income workers with the seven cents per stage bus fare increase announced yesterday. Former prime minister and party leader Mahendra Chaudhry issued a statement denouncing what he said appeared to be an “arbitrary and...

Association concerned with proposed Insurance Act

THE Insurance Association of Fiji is greatly concerned with the proposed Insurance Act which is being reviewed by the Reserve Bank of Fiji. This was revealed by Sun Insurance Company Pte Ltd managing director, Inia Naiyaga during the Associations submissions to the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs on the Reserve Bank of Fiji Insurance 2018...

FRCS, hoteliers discuss new taxpayer online services

THE Fiji Revenue and Customs Service has just completed a robust discussion with members of the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association on the New Taxpayer Online Services private forum. The two hours session allowed hotels experts to raise questions relating to the change. Chief Executive officer Visvanath Dass labelled the discussion as a fruitful one...

Mobile banking app for SMEs

ANZ is serious about making banking easier for small business customers, says ANZ Fiji Country head Saud Minam. The bank today announced enhancements to its ANZ Pacific mobile banking app, which according to the bank makes it the first bank in the country to integrate personal and business accounts into a single app. Mr Minam...

Japanese TV to feature Fiji

A popular Japanese TV program will be featuring Fiji from January 18 to February 15, 2020 to its viewers on where to shop, eat, visit or stay. This was announced by Tourism Fiji as they had been working with Tabi Salada on introducing the attractiveness of Fiji since 2019. The episodes also include local customs,...

Bank introduces student account to encourage savings

An international bank in Fiji has launched a product specifically designed to assist students in saving their money. BRED Bank chief executive officer Thierry Charras-Gillot said they were passionate believers in the importance of financial education with the introduction of a new savings account called the Premium Student Saver Account. “Our Premium Student Saver Account...

Gossiping affects workers, says Toaisi

GOSSIPING in workplaces can be a barrier for domestic violence victims to share their experiences with their superiors, Vision Investment Ltd manager culture and people, Hollis Toaisi told a forum yesterday. Speaking at the CEOs breakfast in Suva yesterday, he said they had developed a domestic violence policy for all branches across the country. “The...

Group completes $6.4m facility

PACIFIC Building Solutions (PBS) officially handed over a completed $6.4 million project to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church College last week. A statement from the company said it took the team just more than one year to complete the dormitory facility built on the campus of the church’s high school in...

FRCS modernises Fiji’s Customs and VAT laws

THE Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS is modernising the Customs and Value Added Tax (VAT) laws of Fiji. In doing so, the FRCS has formulated a more simplified version of the laws to allow for a clearer interpretation. FRCS chief executive officer Visvanath Das has invited members of the general public to access and...

Holistic approach to overcome border security challenges

THE Fiji Revenue and Customs Service investigated four cases regarding vehicle smuggling rackets involving 13 vehicles in 2019. FRCS chief executive officer Visvanath Das said: “We uncovered the modus operandi being used is accident and insurance written-off vehicles purchased and the same number plates and road worthiness are used on illegally imported vehicles”. Mr Das...

150,000 businesses expected to register online

ABOUT 150,000 businesses would be expected to register online during the Registrar of Companies digital registration process. The digital registration began on January 15 and is expected to continue for nine months. While speaking to Legal Aid Commission support staff in Natadola over the weekend, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the initiative under the Digital Fiji...

Business

25th January