Need for a sustainable
DELEGATES at the Top Executives Conference (TOPEX) 2022 have been encouraged to discuss issues such as labour mobility so that they are able to find solutions to these challenges.
Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation’s TOPEX 2022 with the theme ‘Strategies, synergies, solutions for sustainable recovery: 2030’, started yesterday at the Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji.
Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) president and Narsey’s Plastics managing director Vinay Narsey posed the question “how can we, as Fijian thought leaders, develop strategies to overcome these challenges, while being mindful of the rich sociocultural dynamics of our people” to the members at the opening of the conference on Thursday evening.
In terms of challenges facing the country, Mr Narsey said Fiji was not spared from challenges of the global economy.
“We are seeing increasing numbers of professionals/semi-skilled and unskilled migrating to other countries for work, creating huge gaps in the local workforce,” he said.
“Psychological wellbeing and physical health are coming up as critical factors to sustaining a productive workforce. Unprecedented high shipping costs and delays are pushing prices up with no signs of relief in the immediate future,” he said.
Mr Narsey said FCEF was not against the idea of labour mobility, but stressed that a sustainable model was needed – otherwise Fiji will not be able to sustain this drain.
Looking back at TOPEX 2021, Mr Narsey said the theme for that year was Resilient Businesses Ready for Tomorrow which was just fitting that they now find solutions with strategic synergies to sustain economic recovery towards 2030.
“Hence this year’s theme - strategies synergies, solutions for a sustainable recovery – 2030. Considering the efforts of the Fijian Sustainable Bond Framework that was launched at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, TOPEX is committed towards lowering its carbon footprints to support Fiji’s commitment to lowering its emissions.”
President of Fiji Ratu Wiliame Katonivere officially opened the TOPEX 2022 and will be leading this initiative by planting a tree at the Shangri-La, Yanuca Island today.
Mr Narsey said TOPEX initially began in the ‘80s, and at the time it was designed as a gathering for members of the private sector to present recommendations towards the Government’s Economic Forum
This year’s TOPEX is being attended by more than 280 participants.
“Last year I alluded that FCEF will be undertaking a refreshing exercise Project Bulavou as named is led by Mike Spencer and Eldon Eastgate – their committee has been working on this project for a number of months. Given the rich history of 62 years, the refreshing exercise is more complex than what we envisaged it to be.
Considering the importance of this project – we will now bring you this change in the first quarter of 2023. A new strategic plan, a new website, strengthening and a refresh of the councils, a logo rebrand are amongst the work that is being carried out.”
Meanwhile Mr Narsey said although businesses were the engines of the economy, governments created the environment and structure that enabled enterprise to flourish.
“Through FCEF, we are privileged to have direct access to government ministries to raise critical issues which impact how our businesses function.”
Mr Narsey further said FCEF was also a founding member of Business Assistance Fiji – BAF – a government initiative to assist MSEMs in Fiji to establish, provide support and nurture these MSMEs.
“It is my hope that through these meaningful partnerships, we will strengthen our business communities and networks, whilst sharing better practices on how we can overcome emerging disruptions to our businesses,” said Mr Narsey.
According to Mr Narsey a resilient recovery from the pandemic and restarting economic transformation will require policies that support a thriving private sector and further enable the 3 Ts - trade, technology and training.
“WEBC and FBDRC are two councils that have a lot of traction – a lot more to come your way as members. Our participation at the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) consultations on the development of their strategic plan for the next 5