Chauhan Talks About His Plan for FCEF
Meet Sandeep Chauhan.
He has taken over the reins at the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation as leaders president for the next two years.
Mr Chauhan said: “I feel humbled but at the same time knowing that there is a great responsibility that comes with it and not afraid to do the work but it comes with a territory.
“Also grateful to the previous chair of the council for having done a great job, we have a fantastic CEO, as well as a very good board that helps me achieve the goals that we have set out.
“I run Star Printery I have been involved with the company since the year 2000.
“Very passionate about development and growth in the country and Fiji as well. I am trying to do my bit in terms of helping achieve that goal.”
The area of focus for FCEF would be to strengthen and grow the membership base.
“I think we have achieved that over the few years and getting involved in the community, playing our role within the business sector or private sector.
“Working closely with the Government of today and ensuring that members are compliant with legislation and at the same time ensuring that they know what is required of them.”
Mr Chauhan noted that FCEF would be strengthening its advocacy roles in issues pertaining to tax and employment law and trade.
“At the same time there are various other aspects that we can improve on such as things like education.
“How can we help bring up the generation within our own country to step up and be the resources that we need them to be instead of having the expats filling in the gaps? That is our long term goal.
“But it will require us to start now and ensure that we reach the benchmark ourselves.
“We just have to identify it, nurture it and give them the right exposure. These are some of the goals that we are working towards.”
He also said there would be moves to have more women chairing councils.
“There is a lot of talk about gender equality rather than just being a lip service.
“We are focused on identifying and ensuring that all of these women have gone up the ranks through their own merits.
“This is wonderful to see that their peers are nominating and sitting on the board and work together with their colleagues.”
Plans
He said the council is working with the Young Entrepreneurs Council and would like to see that come through and contribute in a positive way to the council and country.
“In everything we do, we have the country as the top priority.
“Those are the things we want to come through in terms of expanding the coverage.
“The northern division where we have some members but we would like to cover a lot more areas.
“Businesses should ideally take the ethics and principles that we are working for and see FCEF as working in that space. I think in the long term that is what we would like to see as well.”
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