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‘Need to streamline human resource processes’
The Government needs to streamline its human resource processes to be able to hire good people who will fill the gaps for the many that have been offered lucrative offers abroad. Finance Minister Professor Biman...
Ministry toughens planning
The Finance Ministry has strengthened its planning unit in an effort to ensure budgetary allocations to government ministries are delivered efficiently and effectively. Line Minister Professor Biman Prasad referred to the issue on his tour of the West last week, which took in 16 project sites. The minister said he was working alongside his staff...
NCDs the biggest killer
A total of 5700 Fijians are estimated to have lost their lives to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in 2020. This was highlighted by Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong during the launch of a three-day 2023 Health Expo at Albert Park, Suva on Wednesday. “These lives were ended too soon by killers like heart disease,...
Beyond the Scope | Fiji on the global stage; The costs of running our diplomatic missions
Diplomatic missions are essential for conducting international relations, promoting peace and cooperation, protecting citizens abroad, and advancing a country’s interests on the global stage. They serve as the primary tool for diplomacy and are vital components of a nation’s foreign policy apparatus. Between 2007 and 2022, $362 million was used to maintain Fiji’s diplomatic missions...
Branch renovation a testament of bank’s commitment
Renovation of the Fiji Development Bank’s branch in Labasa is testament of its commitment to providing cutting-edge financial services to the people, says deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad. In opening the renovated office on Thursday, Mr Prasad said Fiji had ushered in a new era of banking that was aligned with the demands and...
Empowering businesses up north
Landowners of Labasa Town will be included in business ventures if they are willing to, says Labasa Chamber of Commerce & Industries president Vinesh Dayal. In a press conference, Mr Dayal said iTaukei business empowerment was imperative. “I’ve said this many times and I’ll say it again that for decades with reasons best known to...
Viljoen shares strategy to survive and thrive
If you want to change the culture of an organisation, you have to start with the leaders, said Fiji Airways managing director and chief executive officer, Andre Viljoen. He made the comments while speaking at the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and International Flight Services Association (IFSA) Expo at Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center...
On track for growth | Inflation outlook stands at 6 per cent
The Fijian economy grew by 20.0 per cent in 2022, surpassing the Macroeconomic Committee’s earlier estimate of 18.6 per cent with growth mainly driven by a strong services sector and net indirect taxes. Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) governor and board chairman Ariff Ali said while the economy was on track for an 8 per...
Labour migration a two-sided coin – economist
When what may benefit the individual could disadvantage the nation, timely decisions from leaders and policymakers become equal parts complicated and crucial. Labour migration as an area of concern for Fiji was among the key points of discussion at the 2023 ADB Asian Think Tank Development Forum. “I think labour shortage is a two-sided coin,”...
People | Embrace culture and diversity
In a world that is experiencing a rise in cultural and ideological conflicts, cultural exchanges could be a way to mend differences and create an insightful society. This is what Kalara Valeicili has believed in since returning from a three-month cultural exchange trip in Bali, Indonesia. The Indonesian province is famous for its picturesque beaches...
‘Court has no power to question minister’s order’ – SG
The High Court has no power to question Immigration Minister Pio Tikoduadua’s order to have Grace Road president Daniel Kim removed from Fiji. This was the main argument of Solicitor General Ropate Lomavatu while responding to an application made by Mr Kim’s defence lawyers for the High Court to step in and stop the order...
Remembering the fallen and sacrifices made for country
Remember the great things that they have done, the sacrifices they’ve made and the love and patriotism they have for our beloved country. This was the message from Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua while officiating at the 2023 Police Remembrance Day event at the Police Mobile Force headquarters in Eight Miles, Nasinu, yesterday. “In the...
Fallen officers’ legacies live on; they should be remembered
Police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty should be remembered for their good deeds. Commissioner Northern Uraia Rainima made this comment as he addressed senior police officers, families and friends who gathered at the Labasa Police Station yesterday for the Remembrance Day. “Today’s solemn ceremony would no doubt surface our...
India stands ready to help
India stands ready to assist Fiji in the upcoming Local Government elections. Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Palaniswamy Subramanyan Karthigeyan said while they had not received any requests thus far, they were willing to assist Fiji if needed. “Certainly, we would be very open and as the world’s largest and most vibrant democracy, we have...
‘Much-needed textbooks’
A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) C-130 Hercules has delivered 8000 textbooks to Fiji’s Ministry of Education, that will be given to remote schools with no access to computers or the internet. The books were given by the Fiji Association in Auckland and were brought to Fiji on the C-130 Hercules that was deployed...
Challenges faced by disabled people
A total of 15 per cent of the Pacific population lives with some form of disability, but overall government spending on disability in the Pacific is alarmingly low – less than 0.15 per cent of the GDP, says United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO) peace and development officer Akuila Sovanivalu. He highlighted this at a...
Opportunity for SMEs to display products
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will have the opportunity to display their products, whether it be food or intricate crafts, during the upcoming Fiji Day celebrations at Albert Park on October 10, 2023. The celebrations will start with a Fiji Day parade and a public march from the Suva Flea Market to Albert Park. Speaking...
1 in 50 Fijian children have RHD
One in 50 Fijian children could have Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and children between the ages of five to 15 years are the most at risk of rheumatic fever. While revealing these alarming statistics, Ministry of Health permanent secretary Dr James Fong revealed the high figures indicated the high screening conducted by the ministry, which...
USP maintains global ranking
The University of the South Pacific (USP) has once again been ranked in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking. The Times Higher Education World University Ranking assesses the performance of universities on the world stage and provides performance data of universities to students, parents and other stakeholders. Speaking to the media yesterday, USP vice-chancellor...
Highest sugar sale in past nine years
The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) sold $209.7 million worth of sugar for the 2023 financial year. FSC chairman Pradeep Lal said this was the highest sale made by the corporation over the past nine years. “This achievement reflects a meticulous review by the board and management, who diligently scrutinised potential export markets for sugar,” said...
Plans in place for new sugar mill
A loan will be taken out to build a new sugar mill in Rakiraki, Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh said at a farmer’s consultation meeting in Rakiraki on Thursday. The Penang Mill in Rakiraki was closed in 2016 after it sustained severe damage during Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston. Mr Singh, accompanied by Fiji Sugar...
Deteriorating road condition; Bus firm suspends services
About 5000 people, including students in rural areas of Bua and Macuata, have no public transport services after Parmod Enterprises Ltd ceased bus services at least two days ago. Company director Parmod Chand said the deteriorating road condition had not helped at all. “The buses cannot travel on these roads so we had to suspend...
Ravu assures pine landowners on bonus payments
Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Kalaveti Ravu says he has reassured pine landowners in Bua, Vanua Levu about receiving their land security bonus payment. In an article reported by The Fiji Times last week, Fiji Pine Ltd board chairman Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure said bonus payments to pine landowners had been deferred. There were concerns and...
Drop in number of cane growers
The number of active sugarcane growers reduced from 20,524 to 10,872 over the past 25 years. Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) chairman Pradeep Lal said this was a decrease of more than 47 per cent. “Over the course of the past 25 years, it is worth noting that only on four occasions did the yield exceed...
Efforts to optimise operations ‘sweet’
Over the past 20 years, the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) has only encountered a handful of years when it recorded net profits, says chairman Pradeep Lal. Mr Lal said these were about four or five years. “It is worth noting that among these profitable years, three were marked by the reversal of impairments and in...
FSC to slash debt to $285million
The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) is expecting to reduce its debt from $485.9 million to $285 million. FSC chairman Pradeep Lal said this was the result of the corporation’s revival efforts. Mr Lal explained the revival efforts were guided by five pillars of transformation, which included a detailed balance sheet restructure. “A comprehensive balance sheet...
Plans for new sugar mill
Plans are afoot to build a new sugar mill in Rakiraki, the Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh has confirmed to farmers in the town. Projected to cost about $100 million, the new mill will either be a refinery or ethanol plant. Meanwhile, the plight of the sugar industry was brought to the fore during...
Lomavatu: High Court has no power to question Immigration Minister
The High Court in Lautoka has refused Grace Road president Daniel Kim’s bail application, however, Mr Kim’s request for a stay on the order for his removal has been extended. In court yesterday, Solicitor General Ropate Lomavatu also responded to an application made by Mr Kim’s defence lawyers for the High Court to step in...
Advocate urges Fiji youths to engage in local government elections
A youth and human rights advocate has implored youths in Fiji to actively participate in the upcoming local government elections. Avenai Serutabua says he seeks to engage youths in shaping the future of local governance. He said this was a crucial moment for young people to make their voices known and play a significant role...
FSC: $70m-plus spent on upkeep of ageing mills
The Fiji Sugar Corporation spent more than $70million towards the upkeep of its ageing mills in the past five years. The Corporation stated that that commitment to excellence extended to targeted investments in the sugar mills to enhance reliability and optimise throughput. It stated that with a legacy of more than 130 years old of...
