New Zealand is looking forward to working with Fijian stakeholders to turn our country into the true regional hub it deserves to be.

The New Zealand Ambassador for Pacific Economic Development and a former politician, Matua Shane Jones, made these comments yesterday.

The delegates of the Top Executives (TOPEX) Conference 2014 heard this at the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa. Mr Jones said this concept of a hub was very alluring but it is also something which reflects competition.

Kiwi exporters support

“Without a doubt when I go to PNG, they had ambitions also for hub nature,” he said.

“But I have just finished discussions with Swire Shipping and our various shipping companies in New Zealand.

“You can be rest assured they, and many Kiwi exporters, want Fiji to succeed as the hub of this part of the Pacific.”

Need for productivity

Mr Jones cautioned that in order for a hub to be successful, there has to be productivity.

“This is so that investors will establish enterprises which employ people,” he said.

“But at the end of the day, all enterprises want to operate commercially and successfully.

“Its important that Fiji, in having such a vision as becoming a hub has the necessary capital investment.”

Not only this, but Mr Jones said we must at all times realise that competition is always just waiting around the corner.

“It is either their as an irking beast or as a reminder that the market is never static and always competitive,” he said.

“I look forward to playing a role so that Fiji’s economy realises its potential because that is where jobs and security can be found.”

TOPEX is organised by the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation

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