Managing Directors of Comfort Home Distribution PTE Ltd, Mr Himen Chandra and Khamen Chandra,

King Koil Representatives, Mr Peter Deveny and Mr Aaron Hildred,

Staff of Comfort Home Distribution PTE Ltd,

Invited Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Bula Vinaka and a very good evening to you all. It is a pleasure being here today and celebrating another milestone for Comfort Home Showroom.

I am delighted to see familiar faces present here this evening – displaying the mutual support our business community cordially shares.

This evening there are many reasons for us to come together – above all we are celebrating Comfort Home’s continued existence for over four decades as leading manufacturers of Bedding and Soft furnishing in Fiji and the Pacific.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A little over a year ago, I recall re-opening of businesses within COVID-Safe protocols, at that point in time we were guided by protocols some found cumbersome – but were necessary. Nonetheless, today, we’re in a better space to do business after experiencing first-hand the implications of a pandemic beyond our control.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The impact of the second wave of the pandemic was felt by all, including Fijian businesses. The Fijian Government had a responsibility to find a balance between essential industries and ultimately Fijian livelihoods and health and safety of every Fijian including our visitors. So these protocols were our first steps towards confronting the virus with every available resource which was spearheaded by our highly successful vaccination drive.

I must acknowledge Comfort Home’s strategies that ensured that during the high point of the pandemic they kept every member of the team in employment. Now that’s a mark of respect for Himen and Khamen as Managing Directors of this business – well done gentlemen! In fact, in the face of inflation, their commitment to their employees strengthened further, with a review and increase in wages.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As a champion for the Fijian Made Brand, I am pleased to see the strides Comfort Home has made over the years whilst carrying the “Fijian Made” emblem on its products.

One can only agree how proud we feel as Fijians when we see Fijian products on shelves overseas. I’m sure our diaspora in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga feel happy to see Comfort Homes products away from home – it’s a special sense of belonging.

Comfort Home has taken the national brand to the international market. They have also ensured that their staff are upskilled, nurtured and provided with the necessary capacity building to manufacture to international standards in Fiji. As I have said many times, our common goal is to raise productivity, Comfort Home is just doing that.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Coming back to today’s event, the collaboration between Comfort Homes and King Koil is an example of the domestic and foreign partnership that can deliver new and innovative products right here in Fiji. This collaboration has created opportunities for the future and has stamped a mark in product development and today’s launch, which Peter Deveny will share in detail as the night progresses.

Today is not an occasion for long speeches, hence I will not take much of your time, but would like to end by encouraging all Fijian businesses to stride for excellence as Comfort Home Furnishing has. And ensure that our position as the regional trade, transportation and communication hub is strengthened.

I hope tonight further deepens your business relationships for the future. Let us raise our glasses to friendship and new opportunities.

Vinaka Vakalevu and Thank you.