Permanent Secretary for Industry, Trade and Tourism,
Training Facilitators (Australian Institute of Company Directors),
Chief Executive Officer for Tourism Fiji,
Senior Government Officials and Officials from the Statutory Boards,
Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and very good morning to you all.
It is a pleasure to join you all this morning to officially open this three-day training course for Fiji Directors.
I am happy to see the Directors, CEOs and more importantly, future Directors in the room representing the Government and Statutory Bodies.
Thank you all for being here.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This training course has been organised by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, in partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) for the first time because we recognise this need.
A need that continuously has to be met to enhance service delivery, especially in Government and Statutory Authorities, by ensuring that we understand our obligations and fiduciary duties to our customers, the organisation and Government. We also need a greater level of transparency and accountability in our service delivery.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Fiji Directors Course is a unique tailor-made training opportunity for professionals with its succinct key message and facilitates healthy discussions on good governance. The training is designed to challenge statutory boards to set higher standards particularly in terms of adopting a much more comprehensive approach to risk management, diversity, change and the need to adapt to new technologies.
The course modules will provide in-depth understanding on effective decision-making, legal aspects of directorship, financial literacy and strategy, as well as putting the lessons into practice. This will of course help you in your own career development.
The specialists from AICD provide exactly the type of targeted training needed by Senior Executives of Statutory Board and Government to realise their obligations (both legal and financial) and broaden their horizons.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thus, the Ministry with AICD has designed a training programme, which is aligned to deliver the value of good governance, prudent financial management and effective strategies that take into consideration risk management, in order to achieve the Ministry’s broader vision of a brighter economic future for all.
The three-day training programme will broadly cover the areas of Governance, Finance, Strategy and Risk for Directors. It will introduce the role of a Director and the board in establishing the governance of the organisation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
You may ask, how will I benefit?
The training course will outline the duties, responsibilities and the rights of directors of private, public and not-for-profit organisations. It will further examine board composition – having the right mix of skills, knowledge and experience to ensure that a statutory board carries out its activities effectively.
Specifically, for Directors and future Directors who are here today, the course will build your understanding of the Companies Act 2015 and how to maintain compliance with the Act – whilst understanding the duties and responsibilities of a Director. It will give you a Director-oriented view of governance, finance, strategy and risk in different organisational structures.
As Directors and Senior Officials, you are bestowed with the role of ensuring that proper processes and procedures are followed within your organisation and Statutory Boards that you represent. This is therefore a great learning platform, which provides for interactive discussions and an opportunity to share, explore and discuss concepts and issues related to good public governance.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I encourage you all to use this training to learn as much as you can and share experiences and knowledge to help perform your roles in a more efficient and effective way. Ask as many questions as you can. It is your confidence, commitment and your hard work that will steer the fortunes of the organisation you represent and those you serve.
Before I conclude, let me once again thank the facilitators and organisers for providing this training session that will help the participants in performing their roles better.
I hope that all the Directors, senior officials from Ministry, Statutory Bodies and FRCS following this training, will assess their processes and procedure and recommend ways to improve it.
This training will no doubt enhance your knowledge and set you on the right path of your career development and aspirations. The Ministry will also be looking at some of you to fill vacancies that may arise in a number of our respective Statutory Boards.
With that said, it is my pleasure to now officially open the 2018 Fiji Directors Course. I wish you all a very productive three days of training.
Vinaka vakalevu and thank you.