Mrs Parwati Gounder,
Directors and Managing Directors of Subrails Furniture,
Representative of Nausori/Nasinu Town Council,
Senior Government Officials,
Members of the Private Sector,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
I’m happy to be part of the opening of the new Subrails Furniture outlet here in Nausori.
Today, marks another achievement for Subrails Furniture Ltd, with this brand-new store in Nausori. In fact, this is your 14th store. This is evidence of your continuous determination and confidence in the Fijian Economy.
Subrails is an example of our very own Fijian investor, who started over two decades ago from what was just a furniture store in Lautoka to a renowned business in Fiji today.
Subralis has diversified from manufacturing and retailing furniture to retailing electronic and household goods. They provided employment to over 250 Fijians in their retail, and manufacturing and processing center. In addition, they are looking into offsetting their carbon emissions, through the use of solar powered manufacturing.
Today, Subrails joins, over 500 other businesses as part of a growing Fijian Made family. They have acquired the Fijian Made emblem for seven products, which includes lounge suites, beddings, tables and chairs, wardrobes and mattresses.
Subrails is a great example of a branded Fijian Made business that has invested in adding value to our precious timber resources. We are encouraging Fijian businesses to process and value add to the abundant resources our country has – whether in Agriculture, Forestry, or Fisheries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
When the ‘Fijian Made-Buy Fijian’ Campaign was launched in 2011, we set a clear vision for ourselves – a vision to strengthen Fiji’s position as a trade and manufacturing hub and to capitalise on the Fijian brand. This was important especially for the micro, small and medium enterprises in Fiji. The brand now symbolises recognition of our locally made products at a global stage.
The Campaign not only enables licensed businesses to promote their products in the domestic, regional and international markets, but also creates opportunities to increase revenue, create more jobs for locals, and add to the socio-economic development of Fiji.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Campaign builds capacity to explore markets internationally and induces in Fijians the enthusiasm and national pride to choose local over imported products.
So, for all Fijians, the Campaign holds one and only one message – think local and buy Fijian Made. By doing this, we ultimately help ourselves and Fiji. We need your commitment to our Fijian businesses, to help them grow, especially during this global pandemic.
It now becomes incumbent upon you, everyone under the Fijian Made brand – as brand custodians – to maintain the quality, authenticity and brand equity. You should ensure that the profile of the Fijian Made brand is protected. The Fijian Made brand sets minimum standards and compliance platform for all licensed companies, and I urge you to familiarise yourselves with it.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We commend Subrails for exporting to the Pacific Island Countries. In order to support your efforts to promote your products in these markets, the Fijian Government will, in this financial year, appoint a Non-Resident Trade Commissioner to the Pacific Island Countries. We will ensure this position acts as a leverage to regional and eventually global markets.
For those businesses that are not part of the Campaign, I urge you to join the Campaign and benefit from it just like Subrails Furniture will. We look forward to more companies, especially micro, small and medium enterprises, becoming part of the national brand.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Coming back to today’s event, I congratulate the Directors and Management of Subrails Furniture Ltd for this new business venture. It is businesses such as yours that give confidence to other Fijian businesses to continue to invest in Fiji.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With these words, I again warmly congratulate Subrails Furniture and wish you well in your business endeavours.
Thank you and Vinaka Vakalevu