Fiji has many opportunities that are not realised now.

But the actualisation or the realisation and the fruits of it won’t bear next week or next year but will take time. So we must be patient and work hard.

They will take five years, some will take 10 years and people need to work towards that.

This was highlighted by the Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at the Fiji Institute of Accountants (FIA) Leaders conference at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva yesterday.

“Living in the globalised world, we need to be able to tap into the best resources that are available,” he said.

“We need to be able to ensure that you also provide jobs for your own citizens.

“But in the meantime if you recognise that there was a need to fill a gap, and realise perhaps there is someone else who cane better do the job, but ultimately this will benefit the country, you need to be able to take that step.

Otherwise, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said you will not provide the best returns to your shareholders and the best returns to the citizens of your country.

However, he said if we compare ourselves with other Pacific countries, Fiji is doing much better.

According to Mr Sayed-Khaiyum Fiji has good infrastructure and economic base.

“But at the same time, if we compare ourselves to other countries, we can do a lot better,” he added.

He further stressed that the reality is that we have to take a national approach in the way in which we intend to take us forward as a country.

“We have to be realistic in terms of where we are, what our capacity is, what are our limitations and to be able to recognise that and then take full advantage of it.

He told participants that it was a fantastic opportunity for them for discussions and to provide some food for thought.

“The reality is Fiji is in a very good position,” he reiterated.

“We have to be creative in the manner we do business, a lot more focussed and move away from personalisation of issues in Fiji.”

Also Mr Sayed-Khaiyum pointed out that one does not give positions to people because of their ethnicity or  religion, who they know or who they are connected to or which political party they subscribe to or give donation to.

“It should be based on the basis of the credibility, as that individual can bring the best return to their shareholder and to that organisation.”

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