Tui Macuata, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere has been appointed chairman of the Pine Group of Companies

The appointment was made during a board meeting yesterday.

Ratu Wiliame replaces the late Faiz Khan who passed away in June.

The Pine Group of Companies includes Fiji Pine Limited, Tropik Wood Industries Limited and Tropik Wood Products Limited.

Ratu Wiliame said he was humbled by the appointment.

“I have big shoes to fill after the demise of Mr Khan but at present, all operations in the pine industry are running smoothly and we have not had to make any layoff of workers.

“We are going through a very tough period but we have a good management team who have kept up the good work.

“The operations of the group of companies have already planned their way forward and all we have to do now is to see this true especially during this COVID-19 period.”

Ratu Wiliame said for him, there were two most important components in the pine industry.

“One is the workers because they are the movers and shakers and the second, which was more important was the relationship between the Pine Group of Companies and the pine landowners.

“Those two are top priority because without any of the two things will not run smoothly,” Ratu Wiliame said.

He is also a board member for Fiji Airports, Fiji Sugar Corporation and Rewa Rice Limited and chairman of the Macuata Provincial Council.

The five board members the Group include three appointed by the pine landowners and two from the government.

Mr Khan was the third government appointee.

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