Investment Fiji has launched the Prime Minister’s International Business Awards 2024 and applications are now open to Fijian businesses who wish participate.
Officiating at the launch on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications Manoa Kamikamica acknowledged the private sector’s lead role in setting the foundation for innovation, transforming and adapting to economic changes with the government providing a facilitative environment for business to progress.
“We understand the importance of creating a conducive environment for investors, ensuring transparency, efficiency and regulatory support that streamline processes and mitigate risks,” Mr Kamikamica said.
He outlined a number of initiatives currently undertaken by the Government to create that environment, such as the setting up an Investment Facilitation Committee, the Fiji National Digital Strategy, the Fiji Integrated Licenses and Permits Approval System and the businessNOW information portal for entrepreneurs and investors.
He said this year’s awards would “honour and reward businesses with proven success through results and have placed a special focus on innovation and sustainability in reshaping their strategies for the future.”
He encouraged small and medium businesses and young visionary entrepreneurs to apply for the awards.
Investment Fiji’s chief executive officer Kamal Chetty said past winners had set high standards of excellence and inspired many others with their stories of innovation, determination and commitment to national progress.
“Last year, we received 219 applications and honoured businesses in diverse categories. This year, we are introducing four new award categories, in additional to our traditional ones, to further recognise and celebrate excellence in various sectors.”
The new categories are: Excellence in Yasana (provincial) Aspiration Award (to be confirmed), Excellence in Employer Award, Excellence in Fisheries Award and Excellence in Forestry Award.
Traditional categories are: Supreme Award, General Awards (Premier Small, Medium and Large Businesses Operating Internationally), and Special Awards (Agribusiness Innovation Award, Best Sustainability Initiative Award, Excellence in E-Commerce Transformation
Award, Excellence in Innovation Award, Excellence in Outsourcing Award and Excellence in Service Award).
The Awards, which began in 1992 as the Prime Minister’s Exporters Awards, is one of the longest running business awards in Fiji.
This year’s event will be fully sponsored with Fiji Water sponsoring the Supreme Award, Mr Chetty said.
This year’s theme is: “Business Innovation and Sustainability”.
