The Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants 2023 Congress kicked off with all the expected class and excitement owed to its members and speakers, having missed out on it over the height of the pandemic.
A cocktail and dinner hosted at the Golden Cowrie Restaurant at the Shangri-la Fijian Resort, Sigatoka, on June 22 marked the start of the two-day event.
With 50 guests, many of them council members and invited speakers for the following two days, the evening saw much revelry and camaraderie.
The 48th FICA Congress was initially planned for 2020 but was deferred due to COVID-19.
This year’s event has been the first congress for the organisation since 2019.
FICA president Tarlochan Singh said it was an honour to host members for the return of their much-awaited annual congress.
“I know the past few years have been difficult for all of us. I must take a moment to say we all survived the two years of uncertainty and unknowns. With God’s grace, we are here this evening, and that must be acknowledged,” Mr Singh said.
He toasted to the speakers and sponsors and to new journeys and progressively better congresses to come.
Director of SPBD (South Pacific Business Development) and on the organising committee for the congress, Ms Lorraine Seeto held her breath in anticipation, not only for the many invited speakers from abroad but also to hear from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, MSMEs, and Communications Manoa Kamikamica is expected to speak today.
With as many as 400 participants present and a day of enlightening presentations completed, the congress will officially close this evening with a gala dinner.
