THE expansion of the Suva brewery facility will set the Paradise Beverages (Fiji) Ltd’s business on a stronger footing for long term profitable growth following many years of material under-investment.
Fiji, being naturally placed as the hub of the South Pacific, will have a well-educated, skilled workforce and we have a number of investment incentives that are some of the region’s most attractive including zero-duty on all manufacturing plant and equipment, according to the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama at the groundbreaking ceremony of the project “Bula Vou” last year.
The project called “Bula Vou” will significantly modernise and expand the Suva brewery facility.
Paradise Beverages (Fiji) Ltd head of operation Mike Spencer said the company had introduced new technology into the market that would raise their national profile as one of the manufacturing powerhouses of the region.
According to Mr Bainimarama, manufacturing already contributes 15 per cent to Fiji’s gross domestic product, employing 30,000 people or 22 per cent of the workforce.
However, he said Fiji hasn’t come close to reaching full capacity,.
Mr Spencer said the state-of-the-art modern facility would allow the company to expand its reach internationally.
“We provide the Fijian economy more than $1m a week in economic value. Now that we are going to export, we are going to support the Fijian Government and workers by taking our business to the world,” Mr Spencer said.
The company is replacing aged plant and equipment to enable the company to more efficiently produce the highest quality, freshest beer for Fijian consumers and for export markets.
Mr Spencer indicated the main focus for the company would be to continue to unlock the growth potential of local and export markets for beer.
“The company will also continue to drive the major capital investment program that will provide the essential plant and equipment upgrades needed to improve our business efficiencies and capability.”
