LEADER of Opposition (LoP) Inia Seruiratu’s presence at the Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants (FICA) annual congress – 2024 has been labelled “a good omen” for Fiji’s business landscape by congress attendees.
With more than 400 participants, the two-day congress was hailed a success as it provided a platform for both Government and Opposition to come together, after a long time, and discuss issues that’s ailing, not only those in the business world, but also ordinary Fijians at grassroots level.
Key note speakers included deputy Prime Ministers Professor Biman Prasad and Viliame Gavoka, British High Commissioner to Fiji Dr Brian Jones and India’s High Commissioner to Fiji Palaniswamy Subramanyan Karthigeyan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) Savenaca Narube, Digital Government Transformation, Cybersecurity and Communications director-general Tupou’tuah Baravilala, New Zealand Country Head at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Peter Vial, Ignite Global chief executive officer Kim Seeling Smith, and many other prominent individuals in both the local and regional business sector.
Amongst them was Mr Seruiratu who participated in two panel discussions, ‘Where to From Here’ on day one and ‘Alternative to Tourism’ on day two.
His presence, and Government’s decision to share a platform with Opposition was seen by many longstanding FICA members as an indication of a positive outlook for Fiji’s economical landscape.
“As a past president of FICA, this is the first time I have attended congress in over 20 years, where you have actually given the Leader of Opposition to actually come and be engaged in some discussions,” said KPMG partner-in-charge of business services and Fiji-New Zealand Business Council president Renu Chand.
“The theme ‘Where to from here’, I think it’s great and it’s been well received by the two deputy PMs that have been here and the Leader of Opposition as well as the leader of Unity Fiji Party, and that to me, demonstrates a very strong commitment and will for everyone to work together and move the country forward together.
“I think that’s very important and I’m very positive and very optimistic that this time we are going to make a change.”
- Naiveli & Co senior partner Ioane Naiveli, who’s been a member of the FICA Institution since the late 1970s said Government and Opposition’s presence “was really, really good omen going forward for the economy”.
“It is good because they put their political thoughts out there, they come here as a politician, but they hear from the businesspeople, sharing — everybody, from the Opposition, from the Government and from the business people,” he said.
“This is a good omen going forward for the people of Fiji because there are decision makers here. They are all here, which is wise. So, this is good going forward.”
While delivering his speech on day one, Mr Seruiratu said this was the first time for him to attend a FICA congress and thanked outgoing FICA president Rajeshwar Singh and his committee for the invitation.
Getting straight to the point, Mr Seruiratu emphasised on the importance of political stability, good governance, and transparency for a positive economic growth.
“I think, given our history, that’s important for all of us. We need to ensure that is not only the responsibility of Government, but that is a shared responsibility. We’re all Fijians and we all have that responsibility to build our nation on the issue of political stability and good governance, and that’s something that we will continue to urge all of us to ensure that we do our part in that.
“Why I’m saying this is because political stability and good governance originates from the political leadership and then it’s passed on to the executive, the administration to execute.
“The Honorable deputy Prime Minister (Professor Prasad) has talked about transparency, good governance is about rule of law and it’s important that if you want to entice investments, if you want the economy to grow, it is our responsibility, and government to create that environment.
“And we will create that safe environment where there is political stability and good governance.”
Mr Seruiratu went on to say that he wants to “rebrand the Opposition” as “adversarial politics is not good for Fiji”.
“I want to rebrand the Opposition, looking at national interests. I’ve spoken about this in Parliament, adversarial politics is not good for Fiji.
“This doesn’t mean that we deviate from our principles, values, and ethics, but we are here for Fiji. Our time is limited, and we need to be move together on that.”
His comments were met with applause from the floor.
This, according to an individual who requested not to be named, was taken by the business community as a sign of hope.
Especially, when those comments were delivered by Mr Seruiratu in a room filled with businessmen, senior partners of accounting firms, participants from prominent international organisations, and also local politicians.
All in all, the success of the congress has been the topic of discussion for the attendees.
“One of the things, is that the members have increase and secondly, this one is really much better from the previous ones. It keeps on improving,” Mr Naiveli told The Fiji Times.
“And for the participants, now we have those who came from around the Pacific region like PNG, Solomon, Australia, New Zealand, and it’s good because we’re all trying to develop this profession in the Pacific.
“We accountants are really, or less advisors to businesspeople in terms of financials and things like that, and most of them rely on us.”
With all this positive feedback, the proclamation of bipartisan from Opposition, and the appointment of a new Committee, FICA annual congress — 2025 would be something to look forward to. || Feature || LEADER of Opposition (LoP) Inia Seruiratu’s presence in the Fiji Institute of Ch
