Investment in commercial and industrial ventures, agriculture, dairy, trade, food, fast moving consumer goods and real estate are among the sectors of interest for a group of businesspersons, which is currently in Fiji.
The 13-member delegation from Auckland has been meeting ministers and Government officials, in addition to engaging in direct, person-to-person contacts with their counterparts, pre-arranged to make the trip worthwhile.
Fiji’s Honorary Consul in Auckland Harish Lodhia has put together the delegation in conjunction with Radio Tarana Managing Director Robert Khan. As prime movers of this initiative, they serve as a vital link between the Fijian Government and New Zealand businesses.
“Fijian Government is keen to welcome back its former citizens who have done well in many parts of the world including New Zealand. Exciting developments are taking place and with the grant of dual citizenship, Fijians are now being encouraged to invest in their homeland and become true partners in the economic and industrial development of Fiji,” Mr Lodhia said.
Facilities & Benefits
He said that there are several incentives including tax holidays, reduced duty and other benefits available to foreign and local investors.
“Prime Minister Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama is committed to establishing a democratically elected Government through free and fair election in 2014 and promote political stability in Fiji. He is also keen to see an increasing number of former citizens playing an active role in furthering a strong economy,” Mr Lodhia said.
Mr Khan said that the visiting delegation has been meeting with commercial and industrial organisations, ministries, Government officials and people of interest specific to their businesses and also have a ‘unique Fiji experience.’
“Following expression of interest by New Zealand companies and entrepreneurs, we were able to finalise the extent and scope of the delegation and determine their areas of interest in Fiji. We have organised meetings for them in Nadi, Suva and other places. We are confident that they will be able to entertain constructive engagement with the Government and businesses in Fiji,” he said.
Mr Khan said that the single most important consideration was to understand the needs of the visiting businesspersons and make appropriate arrangements so that they make effective use of the time and opportunities at their disposal.
“The delegates have met their own costs of travel and accommodation, but we were able to obtain the best possible deals. The delegates have also been meeting ministers, officials of Reserve Bank, Investment Fiji, Customs and other departments, the local media and officials of the Fiji Retailers Association. This has been a working mission, proving to be useful for the members of the delegation,” Mr Khan said.
The delegation, which left Auckland on July 30, will return home on August 4.
Following are the members of the Delegation.
Harish Lodhia (Honorary Consul of Fiji in Auckland and Director, Sona Sansaar, Sakhi, Fortune Marketing, Magic Foods, Jyoti Communications and Tulja Properties; Robert Khan (Managing Director, Radio Tarana); Alkesh Sharma (Brooke Holdings Limited); Dinesh Raniga (Patel & Associates Limited Chartered Accountants); Feroz Ali (Chief Executive, New Zealand Career College); Jai Prakash (Royal Global Marketing & Distributors (NZ) Limited; Mahesh Reddy (Auckland based businessman); Manuel Valdez (Chief Operating Officer and Head of Investments of Pacific Islands Trade and Invest); Ramlu Naidu (Director, Zeus Equities Limited); Ravin Kotak (Managing Director, Sri Vishnu Enterprises Limited); Sudha Karan (Managing Director, Kapsan Enterprises); Sunil Prasad (Ray White Real Estate); and Venkat Raman (Editor, Indian Newslink).
Photo :
Some member of the Delegation (from left) Ravin Kotak, Sunil Prasad, Sudha Karan, Robert Khan, Harish Lodhia, Ramlu Naidu, Alkesh Sharma, Dinesh Raniga and Jai Prakash
