FMF Announces Appointments

FMF Foods Limited has appointed Ram Bajekal as its new chairman effective from yesterday. This follows the resignation of pioneering leader Hari Punja from the position.

A statement to the South Pacific Stock Exchange said: “Mr Hari Punja, chairman of the company, having been at the helm of the company and the group for our four decades, as part of succession planning, has tendered his resignation as the director and chairmas of the company to be effective from the conclusion of the board meeting on March 25, 2021.”

It added: “Considering Mr Punja’s vast experience, wisdom, farsightedness and invaluable knowledge, and in the interest of the company to avail his services from time to time in an advisory and mentoring role, the board has appointed Mr Punja as Chairman Emeritus with effect from the conclusion of the board meeting of the company on March 25, 2021.

“Mr Punja will not accept any renumeration for taking up this position.”

Mr Bajekal, who was previously the managing director, has been replaced in

Hari Punja. that role by Sanjay Punja.

Mr Bajekal joined the Company and the Group as its chief executive officer on April 1, 2009 and was further appointed as a director and managing director of the Company on February 12, 2015.

About Hari Punja

Mr Hari Punja has been a director of the Company since 1979.

He was instrumental in getting the company listed on the South Pacific Stock Exchange (then called ‘Suva Stock Exchange’) in 1979.

Under his strong leadership, the company and the group grew from strength to strength to make ‘FMF’ a renowned household brand across the Pacific.

The statement to the Stock Exchange said: “Mr Punja’s unwavering commitment to excel, his vision and leadership has resulted in the Group significantly expanding its portfolio of products under a multitude of businesses.”

The Group has received many prestigious awards during his leadership, including three Prime Minister’s Exporter of the Year awards.

Mr Hari Punja has been recognised as a highly successful and influential businessman and community leader in the Oceania region.

Ram Bajekal

He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1977 and the Order of Fiji (OF) in 1998.

The Rice Company of Fiji Limited

Sanjay Punja has replaced Ram Bajekal as the director of the company, effective from March 24, 2021, and as the managing director of the company, effective from March 28, 2021.

Additionally, Leena Punja has been appointed as an alternate director to

Rohit Punja while Ajai Punja has been appointed as an alternate director to Sanjay Punja.

Atlantic and Pacific Packaging Company Limited

Mr Bajekal has also stepped down from the position as managing director of the company, effective from March 27, 2021. According to the Company announcement, he will continue to remain on the board as a non-executive director of the company.

Sanjay Punjab has been appointed as the chief executive officer of the company, by the board, with effect from March 24, 2021.

Meanwhile, Jenny Seeto has been appointed as an independent director for FMF Fiji Foods Limited, the Rice Company of Fiji Limited, and Atlantic and Pacific Packaging company.