Re- exporters in the country play a significant role in not only growing the Fijian economy but also transforming Fiji as the true hub of the region.

Investment Fiji chief executive officer, Godo Mueller- Teut says re-exports are one of the major drivers of the economic growth.

“Fiji presents a unique opportunity for investors to establish their businesses here, manufacture or value add their products and export it to the wider regional markets.

Fiji’s total exports in 2016 valued more than $1.9 billion out of which $814 million were re-exports,” Mr Mueller- Teut said.

Investment Fiji, through the 2017 Prime Minister’s International Business Awards will recognise a re-exporter who has contributed meaningfully in establishing Fiji as the hub of the region.

The Re-exporter of the year award will be presented to a company who has utilised Fiji’s well established air and sea connections with our ports being the major transit point for goods in and out of the region.

“It is important that we encourage re-exporters to think beyond their limitations and truly transform Fiji as the trading hub of the region.

“One of the ways to encourage re-exporters in the country is to recognise their hard work.

“Through the Prime Minister’s International Business Awards, we would like to do just that.

“We will recognise a re-exporting company who has expanded across existing and new markets and have shown robustness in their products and services,” Mr Mueller- Teut said.

The CEO is urging potential companies to apply for the Awards.

Meanwhile the sponsors of this category, Swire Shipping is proud to be part of this year’s Awards.

“By sponsoring one of the categories, in this case the Re-Exporter of the Year, it allows our organisation to support and recognise the businesses that are driving growth in the Fijian economy.

“With a finite regional population, which are predominantly import economies, the shipping industry very much relies on growth in the export sector to underpin increased growth in Fiji and the larger Central Pacific region,” said the owners representative in the Central Pacific for Swire Shipping,  Chris de Villiers.

Meanwhile, for Asaleo Care, winning the 2016 Prime Minister’s International Business Awards Re-Exporter of the Year has motivated its employees.

Manager Sales and Distribution Joseph Rodan says winning the Award was an assurance that the company was on the right path to provide premium products to the Pacific islands.

“We always worked and drove for excellence in our business and ensuring we were service oriented business and the award compliments these in many ways.

It gives us an added sense of confidence to further improve on what we have achieved and the drive in itself continues to add to our exports business momentum,” Mr Rodan said.