Central bank to investigate BSP

New Security Warning Issued For Google’s 1.8 Billion Gmail Users

The security of Gmail has always been one of its biggest selling points, but now one of its most important new security features is actively being used by hackers to scam users Introduced last month, the Gmail checkmark system highlights verified companies and organizations to users with a blue checkmark. The idea is to help users discern...

Governments race to regulate AI tools

(Reuters) – Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) such as Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT are complicating governments’ efforts to agree laws governing the use of the technology. Here are the latest steps national and international governing bodies are taking to regulate AI tools: AUSTRALIA * Seeking input on regulations The government is consulting Australia’s main science...

Board lists priorities

THE Public Rental Board (PRB) is driving up initiatives to tackle its lengthening waiting list of low-income individuals hoping for the board’s assistance in securing housing. PRB board chair Isikeli Navuda said that while the waiting list was a priority concern for the board, the real numbers may be found to be lower upon assessing...

Superior taste award

AQUA Pacific has been recognised with the highly coveted 2023 Superior Taste Award by the International Taste Institute. According to the company this significant achievement is a testament to its unrivalled quality and commitment to providing consumers with the finest natural water. In a media release issued yesterday Aqua Pacific’s chief executive officer Altaaf Jamal...

Workshop addresses evolving changes in cybersecurity

VT Solutions in collaboration with their Cybersecurity partner Chillisoft New Zealand, hosted the Fiji tech industry for an exciting week of technical training, meetings and presentations centred around digital defence and the latest offerings from their cybersecurity partner, Eset. The event brought together industry experts, thought leaders, and professionals to address the evolving challenges in...

Narrow bodied aircraft for the Pacific

AIRCRAFT manufacturer Boeing is looking to push its narrow bodied 737 aircraft in the South Pacific where the company forecasts a growth in passenger traffic. Boeing Commercial Marketing managing director Asia Pacific Dave Schulte said short and medium-haul flights continue to be a popular choice for travellers within the region making the single aisle aircraft...

Grant to uplift MSME sector

THE newly launched Business Link Pacific Business Support Grant will contribute positively to uplift the MSME sector and help improve the standard of living of the people, says Assistant Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel. Mr Immanuel said the BLP Business Support Grant was designed to assist the MSMEs to grow, innovate and adapt to the...

13 businesses to showcase products at expo

THIRTEEN businesses from Fiji will be participating at this year’s Naturally Good Expo to be held in Australia from June 5-6. A statement from Investment Fiji said it was a collaboration between them, the Fiji Consulate General and Trade Commission office in Australia. Investment Fiji chief executive officer Kamal Chetty said the effort to showcase...

Vision Investments Limited partners with Leadership Fiji

Vision Investments Limited has forged a new partnership with Leadership Fiji, an organisation with the mission of assisting emerging leaders. The partnership was formally signed this morning at the Vision Investments office in Nasinu. Vision Investments CEO Sanjesh Prasad said being associated with Leadership Fiji is considered a great honour for the company. “Leadership Fiji...

House of Mausio | A celebration of Pacific identity and fashion

At just 32, Michael Mausio has already made a remarkable name for himself in Fiji’s fashion industry. His brand, the House of Mausio, is driven by a desire to preserve and celebrate Pacific Island culture and heritage. Born to a mixed heritage — his father of Rotuman and Tuvaluan descent and his mother of Russian...

Hotel partners with Fiji Fashion Week

Grand Pacific Hotel (GPH), Suva has announced its partnership with Fiji Fashion Week (FJFW) for its upcoming annual event. As the official hub of the event GPH will host media sessions, designer workshops, and other exciting activities throughout the duration of Fiji Fashion Week. IHG Hotels & Resorts Area General – South Pacific Lachlan Walker...

Partnership to strengthen products and processes

A partnership between a small Fijian-based business and the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus Program (PHAMA Plus) will see the business strengthen the quality and standards of its products. Vegan and dairy free ice-cream production business – Marama Niu – was founded by Kylie Daunoco and Jojina Ah Yuk in 2020. As part...

Banks’ expectations

The Reserve Bank of Fiji expects investment decisions to firm up once tax and fiscal policies are announced in the upcoming National Budget. In its May economic review the RBF said financial conditions continued to support economic recovery amidst sufficient $2.3 billion liquidity. As a result outstanding lending rates remain at historic low levels with...

Call to implement a health tax levy

Health services is one of the reasons people are leaving for better opportunities abroad, says Nadi private doctor Ahmed Shariff. While speaking at a National Budget consultation, the director of Health Masters Pte Ltd said a taxation system needed to be implemented for the health sector to improve and upgrade its services and facilities. “This...

‘Be fair if bringing back stamp duty’

Nadi lawyer Ashnil Narayan is urging Government to implement a stamp duty that would be fair for all. While making submissions at a National Budget consultation this week, the AK Lawyers legal counsel said the removal of stamp duties by the previous government proved to be a disaster. “We had stamp duties at reasonable and...

Investment on hold | Labour shortage affects $20m worth projects

About $20 million worth of investment has been put on hold by McDonalds Fiji because of a shortage of labour. While making submissions at the public consultation on the National Budget, McDonalds Fiji managing director Marc McElrath said the labour shortage was affecting every sector in the country. “We are very worried,” he said. “With...

New fuel and LPG prices come into effect

The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) yesterday announced the new regulated fuel and LPG products that will come into effect from today. As per the announcement by the FCCC the new regulated retail fuel prices are: Motor Spirit from $2.74 to $2.80 Premix from $2.58 to $2.62 Kerosene from $1.92 to $1.91 Diesel from...

Access to services

Sugar cane farmers now have an online portal to access services offered by the Sugar Cane Growers Fund. While launching the new mysugarcanegrowers app in Lautoka, Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad said the fund had been an integral partner of the industry for many years. “It is fitting to say that we need this...

Peer-to-peer learning

Pacific adaptation to climate change and resilience building In a ground-breaking initiative aimed at fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, representatives from several Pacific Island nations embarked on the first Pacific Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Learning Programme for the private sector in climate finance and resilience. This program, organised in collaboration by the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation...

Fiji, ‘a trade hub’

The new Fiji Trade Commission North America office in Burlingame, California, was officially opened this week by the minister for Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communication, Manoa Kamikamica. During the opening ceremony Mr Kamikamica said the US was Fiji’s largest and fastest growing export market. “In 2022, we recorded a 15.6 per cent growth in total...

Council urges consumers to be cautious

The Consumer Council of Fiji is working with the Criminal Investigations Division of the Fiji Police Force on the case of a scammer exposed for housing fraud. The council is urging consumers to exercise caution when dealing with a Sangita Maharaj, a rental scammer who has reportedly been operating under various aliases on Facebook including...

Website to facilitate growth of trade relations

The European Union (EU) in collaboration with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) has launched the new Pacific EU Trade website yesterday. The website, developed under the Strengthening Pacific Intra-Regional and International Trade (SPIRIT) project, seeks to facilitate the growth of trade relations within the Pacific and between the Pacific and EU member states. Assistant...

Childcare options for working parents

Cabinet has approved a childcare guidance note that will help design the country’s first early childhood care services policy, giving working parents access to good quality childcare options. A statement from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) said the guidance note builds on a 2019 IFC study, Tackling Childcare: The Business Case for Employer Supported Childcare...

Singh: Fiji keen to learn from success of Mauritius’ sugar industry

Fiji is keen to learn from the experience and success of Mauritius sugar industry, especially in areas of power co-generation, ethanol production and production of refined sugar. Minister for Multi Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry Charan Jeath Singh – who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic of Mauritius,...

Popular resort wins TripAdvisor award

Tokoriki Island Resort is the recipient of TripAdvisor’s 2023 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards #3 in the Top 10 Hotels South Pacific. A privately owned luxury, Tokoriki Island Resort is a boutique 5-star resort located in the Mamanuca Islands, Fiji and is easily accessed by helicopter 15mins, speedboat 1hour or scheduled Catamaran 1hr....

Tax scam alert

Taxpayers have been urged by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) to be vigilant and on alert for potential scams. The warning was issued after the FRCS received a report by a person stating that she received WhatsApp messages from unknown numbers claiming that her mobile number has won a lottery and that to...

Improvements in the local labour market

The Reserve Bank of Fiji continues to record improvements in the local job market in tandem with the robust growth in the economy. According to the RBF the number of job vacancies rose by 23.6 per cent in the first four months of this year as recruitment intentions picked up in most sectors. It was...

Continuous growth in tourism

The tourism sector continues to go from strength to strength with the visitor arrivals tracking just above 2019 pace – 12 months ahead of schedule, says Tourism Fiji chief executive Brent Hill. He said this had led the Reserve Bank of Fiji to upgrade their growth targets for Fiji to 18.6 per cent for 2022...

Budget consultations begin in Lomawai

National budget consultations began at Lomawai in Sigatoka this morning for key stakeholders in the Western Division. Speaking to a group of sugar cane growers, Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad said he understood the problems farmers faced and wanted to learn more about their concerns. “I would like to hear from you,” Mr Prasad...

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