Fiji-New Zealand Business Council

Fiji and New Zealand have remained important trading partners over the last 10 years. New Zealand is an important market for Fiji exports reaching a high of 15.6% of all domestic exports in 1989. Over the last 10 years Fiji's exports to New Zealand have risen from F$8.7m in 1984 to $F39.3m in 1993 - a 35% increase.

Not with standing this performance there is a desire by Fiji to improve its export penetration of the New Zealand market.

The Fiji Government has also adopted a policy of promoting export led growth within a deregulated environment. The general goal of the New Zealand Business Scheme is improve Fiji's export performance in terms of the quantity and value of exports with a particular emphasis on the New Zealand market.

A more specific objective is to assist the Fiji Private Sector to identify and develop its comparative advantage in the New Zealand market.


	The project will provide assistance to potential and existing exports or industry groups seeking to develop their own marketing or professional capability as outline above. They must however have been operating their business for at least 12 months and have developed and export plan. In their application, they must demonstrate how the EEF will contribute to the success of the plan.

Funding will be provided to support the cost of feasibility studies, consultancies or materials that directly lead to an improvement in overall performance and export opportunity.

Funding of individual activities will be provided on a 1-1 reimbursable basis.

A maximum of $10,000 will be provided to each project or up to 50% of total cost, whichever is less.

Activities that will be considered under the Fund will include:

Implementation of export plan
Market research in New Zealand
Development of packaging? Labeling to meet New Zealand market requirements
Product development, design or quality improvement to meet New Zealand market requirements
Development or export promotion materials for use in New Zealand market
Registration of patents or trademarks in New Zealand
Implementing a branding strategy in New Zealand
Implementing quality standards
Any other activity which will result in an improvement in exports to New Zealand


	Applications forms are available from the Secretary of the Fiji/NZ Business Council and should be forwarded to the Chairman of the Fiji/NZ Business Council Grants Committee. The addresses can be obtained from New Zealand High Commission or FTIB. A fully completed application from is a prerequisite. Final payment on a dollar basis (50% contribution) will be made on the basis of submission of a final report and itemized accounts. The report should briefly outline the nature of the export were met citing actual exports figures where available.

The New Zealand Government through the Fiji/New Zealand Business Council provided assistance to the Fiji private sector to access training opportunities for their staff.

The programme aims to fund training assistance and opportunities for the staff/ management of private sector (business) organizations that will:

Help existing business improve their performance in a more competitive environment; or
Assist industry wide training.


	Assistance will be provided to the entire spectrum of private sector organizations (business and industry groups) who are aiming to improve business or industry performance and output. Priority will be give to small enterprises that might not normally have the resources to fund training, or to industry-wide initiatives. Industry groups are encouraged to apply. At least 50% of the training opportunities should benefit women in the business community.

Assistance can take the form of:

On the job work attachments in New Zealand and/ or Fiji;
In-country training programs using consultants, and
Participation in specialist training programs.

Assistance will cover the costs of travel and course fees, or provision of consultants to undertake training.

Living costs for individuals are not included.

The Fiji/NZ Business Council, its sister agency the NZ/Fiji NZ Business Council and South Pacific Trade Commission can be contacted to assist in finding attachments or consultants.


	Applications forms are available from the Secretary of the Fiji/NZ Business Council and should be forwarded to the Chairman of the Fiji/NZ Business Council Grants Committee. The address can be obtained from the New Zealand High Commission or FTIB. The application should include a full description of the type of training required and how it is likely to help the organization over the long term. A full budget breakdown should also be provided with the application, including estimated costs of consultants, travel, etc. Final payment will be made on the basis of submission of an end of training report and itemized accounts. The report should briefly outline the nature of the training undertaken, the participants involved and comment on how well the objectives of the training were met. It should also provide feedback from the participants as to the value they received from the training and any comments they have on changes that might be made to such training in future.


	The New-Zealand Government through the Fiji/New Zealand Business Council provides assistance to the Fiji private sector to develop export knowledge and expertise. The Group Training Fund programs aims to fund seminars and group training programs and opportunities organized by the Fiji/NZ Business Council for individuals and private sector (business) organizations that will assist new and/or existing business identify their comparative advantage and improve their export performance in a more competitive environment.


	Places on the courses will be provided to a wide variety of private sector organizations (business and industry groups) who are keen to learn about exporting, or require training in specialized topics. At lease 20% of the training places should be for women n the business community.


	Courses will be advertised in the news media and through other trade organizations, women's groups etc. and places will be made available on a first come first served basis, There will be a small cost involved. Details of courses will be available from the Secretary of the Fiji/NZ Business Council and should be forwarded to the Chairman of the Fiji/NZ Business Council Grants Committee. The addresses can be obtained from the New Zealand High Commission or FTIB.

Early in 2002 we started on a new direction. That was 4 fold.

Upgrade our infrastructure, such as computer network cabling, modernize our IT equipment and install new software that synchronizes Image Label Systems Fiji with our parent company and other overseas branches.
Upgrade our essential services such as water and power and telecommunication.
Install new equipments such as the new Baby Looms and,
Staff training to handle these new opportunities.

It was then that we requested the assistance of the Fiji/NZ Business Council. Since then we have had significant training in:

Software for sales, customer services, accounts, manufacturing. This was critical as the PRISM software was new to us. As it is a fully integrated system it touches all parts of the organization.
Weaving and warpbeam changes for all our weaving staff
Engineering to be able to cope with new looms.

Over and above this the assistance allowed us to send our Production Manager Adeshni Prasad to New Zealand to study the NZ way of doing things. This was Adeshni’s first overseas experience.

In total the grant provided us with $20,000 at a time when we could not have afforded this expenditure, but also at a time that the investment in training was critical.

What is recognized now is that the team in Fiji are at the cutting edge. We are expected to deal with overseas customers. Skills and systems that are required to deal with our Fiji and overseas customer base are expected as a norm. We now have the skills and the systems to efficiently conduct our business both here and overseas. This is critical as the business base in Fiji alone is not sufficient to grow.

The investment in all of this has been significant and we thank the Fiji/NZ Business Council for their efficient support. One part of dealing with the grants committee that I have very much appreciated is the speed and ease of application and re-imbursements.

Image Label Systems Fiji is now well placed to compete on an international basis. The all round efforts of infrastructure improvements, training and a focus on customer service has seen our local sales grow 20% over last year. The challenge now is to grow our international sales. We are well placed to do this.

Thank you,

Hank Arts


	Warwick Pleass, as sole staff member, established Pleass Beverage Equipment Ltd., trading as Pleass Beverages and Packaging, in Suva, Fiji Islands in 1996. The Company has seen significant growth and now employs thirty-five full-time staff with several casual staff being employed at peak periods.

The Company operates in a global environment with production and distribution of its’ three major product streams, food and beverage packaging, AquaSafe bottled water, and recently introduced, South Pacific distribution rights to mosquito control machines, Mosquito Magnets.

Packaging products are purchased by Pleass in bulk from suppliers in New Zealand and other countries and repackaged for sale to businesses, supermarkets, airlines and resorts throughout Fiji. Their wide range of packaged products includes disposable cutlery, plates, cups, trays, wraps and refreshing wet wipes. AquaSafe purified, bottled water is produced by them and delivered to homes, businesses and resorts throughout Fiji and neighbouring countries. In addition, they stock a wide range of water cooler dispensers and water filtration equipment.

Managing Director Pleass says “Continuing expansion and development of the Company relies on its’ systems, staff, products and procedures. With almost 100% of purchases sourced from New Zealand and other countries, and marketing of products to neighbouring countries, requiring protracted international communication, training of staff (particularly of Managers and Team Leaders) is seen as a major priority. It is imperative that the skills of the staff keep up with this rapid development and changes in technology, the advancement of management theory and the structures of contemporary business”.

Through the generosity of the Fiji New Zealand Business Council two members of Pleass staff are proud recipients of the grant, and have been given the opportunity to travel, study and enhance their skills.

In 1992, Fomiza Bano, Purchasing Manager, travelled to New Zealand for four weeks from 16 June with work attachments to several large New Zealand companies (suppliers to Pleass Beverages) to study the latest trends in their operations and management. Since returning to her position, Fomiza has taken an active role in training other Company staff members, as well as introducing a number of procedures which have resulted in greater efficiencies.

Warwick Pleass said “the Company identified Fomiza some four years ago as having the potential to be a future Manager. In Fiji, too often, women are overlooked by cultural values that are not so much recognised or accepted in the Western world.”

The exposure, according to Fomiza, “assisted me to learn a great deal about the operations of these businesses and the importance of purchasing stock and freight forwarding in a timely and efficient manner.”

In 1993, the second recipient is Keith Andrews, the Company Logistics and Production Manager. Keith is studying an external Certificate course with the New Zealand Production and Inventory Control Society. Keith has undertaken to take five units of study externally to complete the course in one year and to travel to Auckland to write the five examinations. Keith’s examination schedule includes two examinations which he took on Saturday April 12, two examinations to be held on July 19 and the final examination on December 13.

Keith’s fares and study materials will be covered by the grant he has been fortunate enough to receive. While in Auckland Keith will take the opportunity to visit a number of Pleass distribution partners for exposure to their operations.

Warwick Pleass said “Keith, is responsible for the largest team in our workforce while still very young. We wanted to broaden his knowledge and understanding of production and distribution.”

These grants are seen by the Managing Director Warwick Pleass, as most beneficial to Pleass Beverages and Packaging. He said “not only are they wonderful opportunities for the two recipients to enhance their skills, but also to assist in developing the skills of the other members of the Company staff through regular and ongoing in-house training programs”.