Mr Speaker Sir;
Honourable Prime Minister;
Leader of Opposition;
Honourable Ministers;
Honourable Members of the Parliament; and
My fellow Fijians who are present here today and those who are watching the parliamentary session live.
Bula Vinaka and Good morning to you all.
This is a very special moment for me to stand in the same chambers after only 16 short months. I am happy to be back, grateful to be part of this August House and continuing to serve Fijians.
I pay my homage to the Honourable Prime Minister for giving me this opportunity and having faith in me to be part of the FijiFirst team during this enduring time. I am also thankful to the Honourable Attorney-General and other fellow colleagues of FijiFirst Party for your continued confidence in me. I must also thank my friends and my family for their continuous encouragement, love and support.
Mr Speaker Sir,
As I acknowledge my father, late Siddiq Moidin Koya, I also treasure his values and principles that have been engrained in me and I will continue his legacy.
Being away for 16 months from Parliament has given me a unique perspective. I had the opportunity to re-connect with people in Fiji, especially the grass roots and the business community. I had made an effort to gauge the pulse of the nation, and what Fijians need for a better Fiji.
I have come back to Parliament with renewed conviction and passion to serve the people of Fiji.
Mr Speaker Sir,
At this point I wish to thank the former Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Honourable Premila Kumar and the former Minister for Transport, Honourable Jone Usamate for setting momentum and I am enthusiastic to progress the policies and strategies of the FijiFirst Government.
Mr Speaker Sir,
The world is facing an unprecedented test and it is no secret that the road to recovery will be long and difficult. Just as our forefathers battled measles and Spanish flu, COVID-19, is this generation’s challenge. It is now our turn to prove that we are worthy of our forebears, and up to the task before us.
No sector of our economy and no Fijian is unaffected by COVID-19. Today the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. These will not go away easily or in a short span of time. It will require tenacity, hard work and new ideas. There will be no return to business as usual.
Mr Speaker Sir,
It is through the guidance and leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister, we will come out of this crisis. It has been his decisive and firm action that has led Fiji to achieve this feat. He has led Fiji out of the woods, and he will be the first to admit that there is still a lot more work required.
Mr Speaker Sir,
Despite what many may think, Fiji is not alone in having to adapt to the post-COVID world. But our challenge is greater than most, because of our smallness, vulnerability to climate change and geographical isolation.
We, therefore, need to develop strategic and in-depth approaches to human development, regional integration, digitalisation, industrialisation, economic diversification and international solidarity.
Mr Speaker Sir,
The Fijian Government has implemented a number of measures and economic stimulus package to support Fijians. This was by lifting certain financial burden from the shoulders of those who are most vulnerable. We are also redoubling our efforts and working tirelessly to engage with stakeholders through the help of technology.
At present, industries such as medical services, biotech, agriculture, food production and delivery and information technology are growing. Businesses in these sectors are seeing stronger demand and hiring more people.
Fiji has the potential to excel in many of these new and growing sectors. Whilst there will industries new to us, for which we will have to build expertise and workforce. Therefore, the FijiFirst Government’s economic recovery strategies are widespread with training and matching displaced workers with new job opportunities at its core.
Mr Speaker Sir,
The Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, has undertaken extensive sectoral and one-to-one consultations, with industry stakeholders, such as Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, Fiji Fishing Industry Association, Society of Fiji Travel Association.
This has led to the development of Economic Recovery Strategies, which is being extensively considered across the Government machinery.
The recommended strategies are based on the following principles:
- Raising Domestic Demand and Confidence
- Encouraging local (Fijian Made) and micro, small and medium (MSME) businesses
- Diversifying and expanding manufacturing base, and establishing industries of the future, IT-based, BPO, to name a few
- Enhancing value chains and market access, including bubbles
- Targeted marketing of key sectors and investment
- Improving efficiency, ease of doing business by adapting to better technology, electronic business and e-commerce.
Mr Speaker Sir,
This is a whole of government approach and each Minister, sitting here, today is fully committed to achieve the goals set.
Mr Speaker Sir,
In addition to the economic recovery strategies, the Ministry in conjunction with the International Finance Corporation has undertaken a business survey across the nation. Over 3,500 businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises have participated in the survey. The results of the survey will be released in the next few weeks. And this will enable more targeted policies and initiatives.
Mr Speaker Sir,
The Fijian Trade Policy Framework 2015-2025, is going through a mid-term review this year. As for the tourism sector, we will have a successor plan to the Fijian Tourism 2021. These policy documents will take into consideration, the new Fiji, the new way business will be done.
Mr Speaker Sir,
We need to remember that we remain a young nation. But in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish and petty behaviour. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit. To choose a better history. To carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation.
And it requires joint efforts to mitigate the pandemic’s effects on jobs, businesses, international trade and economic growth, development and prosperity. We as politicians should lay the foundations for a strong and inclusive recovery.
Mr Speaker Sir,
For a moment we must take a breather and think. Maybe it’s God, Bhawan or Allah’s way or wish, which has stopped the routine. COVID has made the whole world come to a standstill. We need to stop and think how we do things and how to build a new and stronger Fiji.
Discrimination leads to nothing. Separation between rich and poor means nothing. Division between races is nothing – absolutely nothing.
Mr Speaker Sir,
That is why I am saying it’s not just a reset. It has to be re-engineering, re-designing and innovative thinking that will bring back Fiji to its pre-COVID glory.
This is the time which requires this August House to come together. Putting away difference for the betterment of all Fijians. Let’s make decisions in the right way for the people who are look up-to us. People who depend on us for guidance, and most importantly who have chosen us to represent them here.
Mr Speaker Sir,
I am grateful to be given this opportunity again to serve the people of Fiji. I am faithful solider of the FijiFirst Government and the Honourable Prime Minister. I am happy to be back as the Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport. I am familiar with the Ministry.
I believe this Ministry plays a crucial role during this testing times, where we need to work with. Now is the chance for us to come together as politicians. To say that a rainy day demands of us that we shelter and protect Fiji to weather the storm. Rather than argue about who gets to hold the umbrella.
Mr Speaker Sir,
In closing, let me repeat the words of my late father, spoken in Parliament 50 years ago, which still resonates as a much needed rallying call in this August House today. He said “…that there is a complete lack of [true] nationalism within our society. I am not saying that there should be nationalism to the point of waging war on neighbouring countries or anything like that, but unless and until our community is welded together and finds itself in a position where it can and it should rely on its own efforts, pursue a policy of self-sufficiency, work out things with honour, I am sure we will simply go on as we have done in the past … the first and foremost thing for this country to do is to weld the community together …”.
Mr Speaker Sir,
We are leaders, need to weld our communities together to make Fiji a better place. All in this August House, need to rally behind the Honourable Prime Minister, to achieve a united Fiji – a better Fiji.
Mr Speaker Sir,
I take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to deliver my maiden speech.
Vinaka vakalevu and thank you