President Lead Top Execs In Bid To Reduce Carbon Footprint

President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere led top executives in a move that was aimed to reduce Fiji’s carbon footprint, when he planted the first mangrove this weekend, during the Top Executives Conference 2022.

Organised by Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), the conference will deliberate on challenges and concerns impacting the private sector.

FCEF president, Vinay Narsey, said the mangrove planting exercise was an effort to support the Fijian Sustainable Bond Framework, which was launched at COP27, in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt.

With close to 300 delegates attending this year’s conference, the calendar event has come a long way since it was first held in the 80s, when it was designed for the private sector to present recommendations to the Government’s economic forum.

Progress Amidst Challenges

The increasing number of professionals/ semi-skilled and unskilled workers, migrating to other countries for work, created huge gaps in the local workforce, Mr Narsey said.

Another challenge compounding the private sector were the psychological well-being and physical health of workers - both critical factors that needed to be addressed to sustain a productive workforce, he said.

“Unprecedented high shipping costs and delays are pushing prices up, with no signs of relief in the immediate future,” Mr Narsey said, as he highlighted some challenges faced by the private sector.

“How can we, as Fijian thought leaders, develop strategies to overcome these challenges, while being mindful of the rich sociocultural dynamics of our people?

“Where is the opportunity in merging tradition and innovation?”

FCEF was not against the idea of labour mobility, but emphasised the need for a sustainable model, Mr Narsey said.

Otherwise, Fiji will not be able to sustain this drain,” he said.

“I encourage you to discuss these issues during the networking sessions, so that we as a community - can find solutions to these challenges, together. “

Project Bulavou

Last year, Mr Narsey alluded to FCEF’s undertaking in a refreshing exercise, namely Project Bulavou, which was led by Paradise Beverages general manager, Mike Spencer, and Essity Australasia (Fiji) general manager Pacific Islands, Eldon Eastgate.

“Their committee worked on the project for a number of months,” Mr Narsey said.

“Given the rich history of 62 years, the refreshing exercise is more complex than we envisaged.

“Considering the importance of this project – we will now bring you this change in the first quarter of 2023.”

Mr Narsey said Project Bulavou was a new strategic plan, which included a new website, and a logo rebrand for FCEF.

“I’m hopeful that in the new year, FCEF will become the hub of mentoring in Fiji, with the establishment of the Fiji Institute of Mentoring under the guidance of the Asian Institute of Mentoring,” he said.

Although businesses were the engines of the economy, governments created the environment and structure that enabled enterprises to flourish, he said.