Hon. Premila Devi Kumar
Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Local Government, Housing and Community Development
Location: Nabitu District School, Draubuta
Chairman of MGM Worldwide Television Group and Producer of Eco-Challenge – Mr. Mark Burnett,
Series Host – Mr. Bear Grylls,
Executives of both MGM Television and Amazon,
Captains and members of the 66 teams,
Invited guests,
Production crew,
Ladies and Gentlemen and children.
Bula vinaka and a very good afternoon to you all.
There are a lot of things we pride ourselves in as a nation and as the heart of the South Pacific, Fiji is blessed with over 300 tropical islands. These islands are home to happiness and some of the most hospitable people you’ll ever meet.
Each of our island is lined with white sandy beaches wrapped around the coasts. We have landscapes of lush tropical forests and vegetation, spread across the interiors with rugged terrains. Breathtaking marine life, waterfalls and surf. So there’s a lot to be proud and thankful for.
But what we equally pride ourselves in – is how far we’ve come to where we are today as a modern, progressive and resilient economy. One that has the ability to bring together so many people through a single event.
So ladies and gentlemen, welcome to your new second home, and to the launch of Eco-Challenge Fiji.
To our visitors from around the world, Bula vinaka and welcome to Fiji!
We’re excited to be a part of this race and have you be a part of what to us is a significant milestone in terms of Fiji’s tourism and audio-visual industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Eco-Challenge has come back to Fiji after 17 years and for those of us who aren’t fully aware, Eco-challenge is an ultimate expedition race where international teams of adventure athletes will race non-stop, 24 hours a day. This year, there are over 60 teams from 30 countries participating.
Eco-challenge Fiji, reaffirms Fiji’s status as an adventure tourism destination. Hosting it in Fiji just gives us another way of showing the world that Fiji is more than just the beautiful beaches and surfs.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In addition to tourism, this event is elevating Fiji’s position as an ideal place for audio-visual productions. We’re proud to be home to Survivor US for the past 8 seasons. Fiji has been featured in the US media extensively, and with Eco-challenge we expect to increase that reach further and create more interest for productions in Fiji.
In the last five years Film Fiji has hosted 362 productions with a total value of $897million.
In 2018, in terms of numbers, Fiji hosted 106 productions valued at $265 million. These productions spent $120 million directly into the Fijian economy and generated new economic activity levels of $336 million.
This year has kicked off with a bang and I’m happy to say the first half of the year alone has already hosted $102 million worth of productions. Needless to say, this year is going to be busier and with more productions scheduled for the second half of this year, we’re looking at another record breaking year for the industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Fijian Government continues to encourage audio-visual productions with the best film rebate incentive in the world of 75% for all costs incurred in Fiji.
The incentive has been successful in attracting major productions and we are committed and confident that Fiji will become the most desired location for film makers from all over the world.
We will continue to tell the world of the wonderful opportunities we have on offer, that is the world’s best tax incentives and the world’s best locations, and we urge you to do the same.
I can assure you all that the Fijian Government will continue its support for the industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Coming back to today’s event, we are here to launch what is considered as one of the world’s toughest races, “Eco-Challenge Fiji” right here in the centre of Fiji, which is southern Tailevu.
I wish to acknowledge and thank Mark Burnett. Mark is no stranger to Fiji, he was the producer of the “Eco-Challenge” shot here back in 2002, and “US Survivor” in 2006.
Mark, we appreciate your confidence in the Fijian film industry and for your continued support. This support has no doubt helped Fiji to rapidly go through a steep learning curve, and to come to grips with a very complex, but exciting industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I also acknowledge the presence of the host and one of the Executive producers, Mr. Bear Grylls. He starred in seven seasons of the Discovery Channel’s Emmy Award-nominated Man vs. Wild television series, which was one of the most-watched shows of all time reaching an estimated 1.2 billion viewers. We are so excited to work alongside Mr. Grylls and Eco-Challenge.
A big vinaka vakalevu also to the many people who helped bring “Eco-Challenge” to Fiji.
We took the decision by MGM and Amazon to come to Fiji seriously and ensured that all approvals were swiftly facilitated. A Joint Government Audio Visual (AV) Task Force Committee was formed in February this year to facilitate the needs of this production.
To all our local partners that have worked tirelessly to ensure we get all the necessary paperwork in order for the race to commence tomorrow, thank you.
Members of the Joint Government AV Task Force and its Chairperson, the Permanent Secretary Office of the Prime Minister, your commitment and facilitation is appreciated.
I thank the landowners who have given their consent for the use of their land. And I thank Film Fiji for the hard work in making this a reality.
Executives of both MGM and Amazon and the crew, please enjoy your stay.
I’m told that there are 30 countries represented here in this race. I am also aware that there are two local teams competing and they are ‘Team Namaka’ and ‘Team Tabu Soro’. To the two teams, give the other visiting teams a good run for their money and taste of Fijian strength.
To the 66 teams that will compete in the race, I wish you all the very best! I hope you enjoy the different locations, people and culture that you meet and experience during your stay. At the end of the race, I want you to enjoy the Fijian hospitality and unique attractions the country has to offer and make lifelong friends.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With those words, I once again wish the participating teams all the very best and may the best team win.
Vinaka vakalevu. Dhanyabaad. Thank You.