MEDIA RELEASE
FIJI: FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
The 16th Fiji Australia Business Forum, organised jointly by be the Australia Fiji Business Council (AFBC) and the Fiji Australia Business Council (FABC) was held on Denarau Island, Fiji, from 31 August to 2 September, 2003.
A record 185 delegates, partners and guests participated.
Guests at the Business Forum included the Honourable Laisenia Qarase, Prime Minister of Fiji, the Honourable Tomasi Vuetilovoni, Fiji Minister for Commerce, Business Development and Investment, the Honourable Kaliopate Tavola, Fiji Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, and Mr Greg Urwin, Patron of the AFBC and Secretary-General designate of the Pacific Islands Forum.
The Business Forum focussed on investment issues, and made a number of resolutions for action in the next twelve months including:
That the Australian Government be urged to implement with Fiji, as a matter of urgency, an official co-production treaty for Film making to encourage the film and television production industry in Fiji.
That the Australian Government be urged to enter into early negotiations with the Fiji Government to re-introduce tax sparing under the Australia Fiji Double Taxation Agreement to facilitate increased Australian investment into the Fiji economy.
That the Fiji Government vigorously and professionally promote the benefits of Fiji as a location for services such as back-office processing / call centre operations, to ensure that Fiji becomes recognized internationally as a location for "off shoring".
That the replacement TCF industry policy measures be announced by July 2004 to provide certainty and forward planning opportunities for investors in the industry before July 2005.
That the costs of infrastructure for business in Fiji, including telecommunications, power and water, be benchmarked, restructured and reduced to be world competitive.
A full set of resolutions is attached.
The Councils agreed to hold the 17th Australia Fiji Business Forum in Australia in October 2004.
Further information can be obtained from Mr Frank Yourn. Executive Director of the Australia Fiji Business Council (Tel 07 3348 5142 or Mobile 0412 609 195).
13 September 2003
16TH FIJI AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS FORUM
31ST AUGUST - 2ND SEPTEMBER 2003
"FIJI: FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH"
RESOLUTIONS
That the replacement TCF industry policy measures be announced by July 2004 to provide certainty and forward planning opportunities for investors in the industry before July 2005.
That the Australian Government agree to implement with Fiji, as a matter of urgency, an official co-production treaty for Film making to encourage the film and television production industry in Fiji.
That the Australian Government enter into early negotiations with the Fiji Government to re-introduce tax sparing under the Australia Fiji Double Taxation Agreement to facilitate increased Australian investment into the Fiji economy.
That the Fiji Government vigorously and professionally promote the benefits of Fiji as a location for services such as back-office processing / call centre operations, to ensure that Fiji becomes recognized internationally as a location for "off shoring".
That the costs of infrastructure for business in Fiji, including telecommunications, power and water, be benchmarked, restructured and reduced to be world competitive.
That the Fiji Government employs experts from agricultural industries abroad with experience in alternative crops to sugar and change management.
That the Business Councils develop a mentoring program between Australia and Fiji through a fixed workplace exchange program.
That there be implemented in Fiji a program of improvement in the quality of infrastructure, power, water, roads etc, including through use of innovative ideas such as barging for heavy loads in lieu of roads to reduce damage and maintenance costs.
That the Fiji Government legislate to require unions to have the same social obligations as business, so that unions are accountable for their actions
That the Fiji Government amend the Trade Union (Recognition) Act of 1998 to ensure that when a Compulsory Recognition Order is issued against an employer in Fiji, the Act provides the power to lift it when the union membership falls below 50% of eligible employees of that employer.
That the Fiji Government initiate a study be undertaken on a needs analysis on vocational requirements for higher educational design.
That the Fiji Government implement and enforce legislation to make it an offence for domestic and international vessels and land based resorts to discharge any pollutants which have the potential to damage the environment into local waters.
The Australia Fiji Business Forum is organized jointly by the Australia Fiji Business Council and the Fiji Australia Business Council. The Forum is held annually, alternating between Australia and Fiji.