Address at the Launch of the New Logo for Fiji Business Excellence Awards 20th Anniversary
February 27, 2018 Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva.
Honourable Government Ministers;
The Secretary-General of the Asian Productivity Organisation – Dr. Santhi Kanoktanaporn;
Your Excellencies the High Commissioners and Ambassadors;
The Vice-Chancellor of the Fiji National University, Professor Nigel Healey;
Permanent Secretaries and senior government officials;
Members of the FNU Council;
Members of the FBEA Panel Of Review;
The Director of the National Training & Productivity Centre, Dr. Isimeli Tagicakiverata;
Leaders and Executives from the Public and Private Organisations;
Distinguished guests; and
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Ni sa Bula Vinaka and a very good evening to you all.
I am deeply honoured to be here this evening and to launch the 20th anniversary logo for the Fiji Business Excellence Awards.
I also extend a very special welcome to the Secretary-General of the Asian Productivity Organization, Dr. Santhi Kanoktanaporn. I sincerely hope that despite your busy schedule you will be able to take time to enjoy our country and experience our world-renowned Fijian hospitality.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a significant year for Fiji in the history of the Fiji Business Excellence Awards, and I am extremely delighted to be part of this event. The Fiji Quality Awards was launched in 1998 by the then President of Fiji, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. It was later rebranded as the Fiji Business Excellence Awards (FBEA) in 2004 and this year marks two decades of its journey.
The Fiji Business Excellence Awards framework is similar to the Malcolm Baldridge Framework in the United States of America and has empowered organisations to accomplish their missions, improve results, and become more competitive.
The Office of the President has been proud of its association with the Fiji Business Excellence Awards since its inception in 1998. All the serving Presidents and Heads of State have always supported the initiative and have always graced the Awards night of this prestigious event in Fiji’s national Calendar.
Ladies and gentlemen, Fiji is fortunate to have been a member of the Asian Productivity Organisation since 1984 and the Government of Fiji acknowledges the APO’s contribution to the socio-economic development of the Asia-Pacific region through the promotion of productivity. Fiji is one of the current members of this august body, which comprises 20 other countries.
For over 34 years, Fiji has received a great deal of support from the APO including training and development in many areas that have helped raise the performance of managers, technicians and CEOs alike in both the private and public sectors. And thanks to APO’s strong role in building the capacity of our own National Productivity Organisation, we Fijians have advanced our own efforts to be more productive and efficient, to encourage better management, and to stay abreast of the changes that affect the world’s economy.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to acknowledge all the organisations that have embraced the Fiji Business Excellence Framework and have been recognised at the various levels of the Awards over the past 19 years.
It takes a national commitment to build a nation, and improving national productivity is no different. All of us - producers, retailers and wholesalers, government, labor, the financial community, the business community, employee organizations, the education sector, trade unions and consumers - have to be fully engaged in the effort.
And all nations irrespective of size, location and endowments share the dream of creating more wealth and improving the socio-economic conditions of their people. By striving for self-improvement and recognition, any business that applies for these awards is a winner. By striving for growth and success, you are bettering not only yourselves and your businesses, you are bettering Fiji.
Ladies and gentlemen, I congratulate the National Training and Productivity Center on its milestone achievement in reaching the 20th Year of the Fiji Business Excellence Awards. Being able to effectively and efficiently sustain the FBEA process is an achievement in itself.
I would like to acknowledge the Awards Secretariat for their untiring efforts in effectively managing the Awards process. On the same note, I would like to acknowledge the support and contributions from the Panel of Review members, who continue to add value to the process.
I also wish the stakeholders of the Fiji Business Excellence Awards all the best in their Business Excellence journey, and encourage other organisations to come on board and be part of this effort of nation building. Let us all work together to make a difference to our country and create a strong economic platform for growth in Fiji.
Distinguished guests, please join me in congratulating the National Training and Productivity Centre on this milestone achievement.
Ladies and gentlemen, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Fiji Business Excellence Awards, I am honoured to launch the new logo this evening. I am advised that the new logo portrays a new rounded shape on the edge of the FBEA logo and this circle sends a positive emotional message of harmony and protection. The symbol on the circle is used in the logo to represent unity, commitment, love or community. It also shows that it is a never-ending journey. The gold represents the new era and anew dimension of innovation and excellence.
Distinguished Guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is now my pleasure to launch the new Fiji Business Excellence Awards Logo and in the process, start the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the FBEA.
Thank you and May God Almighty continue to Bless Fiji!