In a historic move to ensure board members better understand what the company does, the Fiji Pine Group of Companies (FPGC) will be having its 149th board meeting in the company’s Bua Station in Wairiki, Taveuni.
This is the first time the company is holding its board meeting outside of its headquarters in Drasa, Lautoka since its founding 48 years ago.
The main reason behind this move is the company’s expectation that the Northern Division will sustain Fiji’s pine industry for the next 100 years.
In a statement, Group executive chairman Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure said board members would now understand “the breadth, length and width” of what the company does in terms of what Fiji Pine is doing and will do”.
“This acknowledges them and will enable them to make (company) decisions faster and better,” Ratu Rakuita said.
“The challenges continue to increase in the forest industry particularly around infrastructure — how to move logs, how to farm logs, for all types of wood species, all other value-added species for our future.
“Drasa needs logs, not only from Viti Levu; Drasa cannot survive from Viti Levu only but from all its forests, and the North has the products that the company needs for sustainability.
“It’s good for the directors to see where the logs are coming from, the processes involved and the final results. They will see firsthand the logistic challenges and costs involved. They will then make critical decisions about steps taken to move forward.”
Ratu Rakuita said the Northern forests have sustained the company and the economy in the last four years and would do so in the next six years.
The two-day board meeting starts today.
