Majid Shahzad, Managing Director, Cyber Food,
Invited Guests,
Members of the media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
It gives me great pleasure to be here today to celebrate the 2nd year anniversary for Cyber Food.
As Fijians embrace the “new-norm” of living in a cashless society, we have an ever-growing responsibility to serve communities that drive our Fijian businesses.
As a Government we have set the direction for economic prosperity, we want to empower Fijians with digital skills and technology. This is to ensure that no one in this progressing virtual world is left behind.
In essence, the Fijian Government is supportive of determined businesses providing economic access and digital access for all.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
What started two years ago, has grown from a small startup offering food delivery, into a company offering meals from over 25 listed restaurants with over 2,500 registered users.
Cyber Food started with one worker and one car. Today, two years later, this business has grown to approximately 8 workers with fleet of 4 vehicles and 1 motorcycle in Suva and Nadi.
I am happy to note that Cyber Food gets up to 40 orders on average on a daily basis.
Cyber Food, is an example of a technology enabler for its users. Cyber Food has evolved to become an everyday App for consumers in Fiji. It has made it easier to order food online from the comfort of their homes or offices.
Through online food delivery services as such, we are creating access to opportunities of empowerment and inclusiveness. Simply meaning we are laying the foundation and creating access for the various Fijian communities, who have been instrumental in Cyber Food’s growth over the last two years.
As you will appreciate, the Fijian Government continues to invest significantly in digital infrastructure for businesses and Fijians to connect with each other and with the rest of the world at competitive rates. In addition, a number of business process reforms have been undertaken and the digitalisation of processes is key to these reforms.
Through initiatives such as DigitalFIJI and bizFIJI, we’re allowing Fijians to connect digitally by bringing Government services to them. During the 2020-2021 national budget address the Hon. Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, announced the removal of business licensing.
So today, you can register your business name or company and register for tax completely online. Following this you can begin operations if your business risk categorization is low. This process will be further improved to include FNPF and FNU registration through one simple online step.
We have also improved building permits process. The Regulation of Building Permits Act 2017 allows for a fast-track process for application and approval of building permits. Applicants can access the application form on bizfiji.com and lodge their application at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport’s Business Reform Unit.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Just last week, we launched the BPO Council of Fiji, emphasising our strong regional position with excellent IT and telecommunications infrastructure. Noticeably, strong points, which enable and empower people, micro-entrepreneurs and businesses to generate sustainable livelihoods for themselves.
As you can see, this Government is creating an enabling environment by embracing and capitalising on new technologies to bring about efficiencies and reduce bureaucracy in doing business.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
For small and medium businesses, economic access means the ability to scale and gain access to capital. In Fiji, this is particularly fundamental given that online platforms can unlock great economic potential for Fijians now and in the future.
At this juncture, I wish to reiterate, that online shopping is an emergent trend which has opened opportunities for businesses developing applications to make it easier for consumers to shop in the comfort of their homes.
Cyber Food has seen this opportunity and I’m happy to announce that they will now be expanding their delivery services to bring you groceries and confectionary products. What this basically means is that you can now order groceries and confectionary products such as cakes and pastries from the comfort of your offices or homes.
This evolutionary journey would not have been possible without the vendors who, with commitment and partnership remained a part of this online platform to create a meaningful and lasting impact in our society.
To Majid and the Cyber Food team, your hopes and zeal is the reason why we are gathered here today, celebrating your achievements.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
To the users of Cyber Food, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for having the confidence in Fiji’s first online food delivery service and support, at a time when COVID19 has changed the entire landscape of doing business altogether.
As Cyber Food completes another successful year, and diversifies into new areas, I’m sure this gives confidence to those involved in this business to continue reaching new heights and introduce innovative and creative ways of shopping in comfort.
Let us create new benchmarks in the food and service delivery space. Not only do I hope, but firmly believe that we can do anything together. We have to believe in ourselves and our partners, support each other and take our talent and energy in the right direction.
On this note, I wish to once again congratulate Cyber Food on their 2nd year anniversary and officially launch their grocery shopping portal.
Thank you and Vinaka Vakalevu