Director, International Labour Organisation – Martin Karimli,
President, Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation – Mr. Sandeep Chauhan,
President, Suva Retailers Association – Mr. Jitesh Patel,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
It is my pleasure to launch the COVID Safe Business signage, business posters and banners for the business community.
The Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport (MCTTT) has partnered with International Labour Organisation (ILO) and private sector on many occasions to assist and promote the development of Fijian Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Today marks another example of this meaningful partnership.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Ministry has been in the forefront of developing the roadmap towards economic recovery. Critical to our recovery efforts are:
- Protection against the virus through mass vaccination. Today, we have over 90 percent of the target population, who have now received one dose and more than 34 percent are now fully vaccinated nationwide;
- Continued sustainable support to businesses, especially MSMEs; and
- Future proofing Fiji that is, strengthening our resilience to future pandemics.
While many have called for the total lockdowns, the Fijian Government has carefully and progressively allowed businesses to re-commence operations. Obviously, this has been permitted within the framework of COVID Safe protocols.
That began with the formulation and implementation of the COVID Safe business protocols.
Protocols were developed following consultations with leading private sector bodies such as Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) and Suva Retailers Association (SRA) and approved by Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
What we all must remember is, that nothing will go back to normal. So the return to normalcy is actually a move towards adapting to the “new normal”. Our businesses need to adapt to new ways of operating their business, and be the pillars of change.
The adherence to the COVID Safe protocols ensures that businesses continue operating, whilst ensuring the safety of customers, employers and employees alike.
Simple steps such as wearing a mask, maintaining two metre distance, washing of hands, sanitisation and having our careFIJI app on, is protecting you and I from this virus.
It is “Simple but effective”.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
During the consultations with FCEF and SRA, we had informed them that the Ministry together with Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) have deployed the “COVID Safe Ambassadors” initiative. These COVID Safe Ambassadors are actively promoting the COVID-19 Protocols, giving direction and advising businesses on best practices.
These signage and posters, were developed following surveys and feedback from our COVID Safe Ambassadors on the ground.
Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, we appreciate, ILO stepping in and offering to print over 3,000 plus posters. We hope that the posters will help carry the message and improve the level of compliance – both from the general public and Fijian businesses.
Today’s launch of the COVID Safe posters and banners will go a long way in helping our MSMEs in promoting and implementing COVID Safe business operations. We are in this together, and will keep working with stakeholders to bring about innovative mechanism to help our MSMEs cope and adapt the “new normal”.
Given these posters are printed for free by ILO, it cushions the cost of doing business to MSMEs.
There is also some level of responsibility that needs to be taken by MSMEs to ensure that these posters are well placed and displayed accordingly.
Our road to economic recovery will not be easy, but we will get through this and the Fijian Government is committed – we just need your commitment.
The Fijian Government remains thankful to ILO and hope to continue our collaboration on Fiji’s road to economic recovery.
Vinaka Vakalevu.