President of Fiji Rental Car Association, Mr Mohammed Safik,
Members of Fiji Rental Car Association,
Chief Executive Officer of the Accident Compensation Commission Fiji, Mr Parvez Akbar,
Chief Executive Officer of Consumer Council of Fiji, Ms Seema Shandil,
Acting Chief Executive Officer of Land Transport Authority, Mr. Irimaia Rokosawa,
Respective Agency Managers/Directors,
Industry Stakeholders,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and a very warm welcome to you all.
It is my pleasure to be here for the opening session of the Fiji Rental Car Association Annual General Meeting.
I wish to acknowledge the members of the Fiji Rental Car Association for their continued support to standardise and elevate the rental industry.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on everyone, particularly tourism – a sector most of you are very closely linked with.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have all learnt and discovered new ways of going about our work and business during the pandemic.
I want to reiterate that our lives and our ways of doing business have changed significantly. So the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport (Ministry), with the assistance of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and key stakeholders like you – have implemented new business strategies and protocols to ensure that we can continue to provide high-quality rental services.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to thank the Association for your contribution to last week’s Central Division PSV Consultation with the Ministry and LTA. We always welcome hearing your concerns, and more importantly, your suggestions on how we can work together to improve rental businesses and its services to the people of Fiji.
Our aim is to forge partnerships between the Fijian Government and key industry stakeholders to strengthen the sector and meet the demands of Fijians and tourists whilst also making business easier for our operators.
The Ministry and LTA have taken on board proposals to improve the rental car businesses in Fiji. We will ensure better coordination with the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), and Municipal Councils.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I’m confident that members of the Fiji Rental Car Association, must understand that there is no simple way to do business during a pandemic. As we provide an effective and safe environment for our fellow Fijians and tourists, we must not only adapt to the new normal, but engage in new business innovation and creativity.
As transport service providers, your role in society is essential. Your responsibility is not only running your business, but to ensure safe transportation to all your customers.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today’s AGM is dedicated to enhancing rental operators’ understanding of effective business strategies and operations. This also includes the introduction of a standard Rental Agreement for vehicle usage.
This marks the establishment of a guiding principle to help rental customers, operators, enforcement agencies, drivers and vehicle owners.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
To have effective agreements a whole-of Government approach is certain – this includes support from the Ministry, Land Transport Authority (LTA), Accident Compensation Commission of Fiji (ACCF), Municipal Councils, Consumer Council of Fiji, Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), drivers and respective key stakeholder.
Each of these agencies play a critical role in ensuring that our public transport service vehicles offer on-time service, while adhering to all its permit conditions.
It is the obligation of the permit holders to guarantee their drivers do not violate the Rental Agreement.
Additionally, as vehicle owners, you must guarantee that driver profiling is completed prior to renting your vehicles.
The LTA e-service’s is important to assist with driver profiling. So, I encourage all of you to register with the LTA e-services to ease your doing of business.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As an Ambassador for road safety, I guarantee that safety is a top priority for my Ministry.
When our fellow Fijians travel by rented cars, they place complete trust in the driver to safely transport them to their destinations while adhering to all safety procedures. As a result, no matter where we go, what we do, or who we travel with, safety is everyone’s duty.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Ministry, I would like to thank the Fiji Rental Car Association for their continued service in the public transportation sector.
I also encourage everyone here today to actively participate in your association and as you have your AGM, choose strong leaders who will work for the betterment of the association, in turn encourage better service among its members and the people of Fiji.
With those few words, I officially declare this AGM open.
Vinaka Vakalevu, Thank you!