It was a joyous moment for the Business Process Outsourcing community and its stakeholders as they opened their new Outsource Fiji Office and Headquarters at Garden City in Raiwai, Suva.
While officiating at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, SMEs and Communications, Manoa Kamikamica, says this is a momentous occasion for Outsource Fiji and a clear sign of the importance of the Business Process Outsourcing industry to the Fiji Government.
He says there is no doubt that the BPO industry plays a significant role in supporting the national vision in the promotion of economic diversification, employment creation, income generation and talent retention.
Kamikamica says the growth of the BPO industry in Fiji has been a blessing in disguise – at a time when the world was experiencing new emerging industries.
He adds the BPO industry has emerged as a game changer for the Fiji economy, employing over 8,000 people, and they know that this will continue to grow.
The Deputy Prime Minister says they are well aware of the mass movements abroad of our skilled tradespeople to nurses, accountants, doctors, software developers, and even drivers and machine operators.
He believes the outsourcing industry in Fiji offers an attractive value proposition for young Fijians to stay back and not only do they get paid well, but they continue to be empowered through the necessary training and professional development and this will improve the overall quality of the industry.
Kamikamica says they also acknowledge that the local infrastructure capacity needs to be improved, whether it is suitable office space or consistent power and network connectivity.
He adds even the tourism sector predicts that they will need approximately 4,000 more rooms in the future to meet their demand.
The Deputy Prime Minister says whilst we all look forward to the budget announcement this week, there are some flagship projects outside of Suva, such as the Pacific Koro in Kalabu, the Telecom Centre in Tamavua and the planned Navutu Special Economic Zone, and the construction of a second submarine cable in the West, to name a few.
He says in the North, the Government is leasing out land in Savusavu for the Industrial Zone, whilst Telecom Fiji Limited is laying underground fibre optic from Labasa to Savusavu and the World Bank Vanua Levu Tourism Development Project has elements of infrastructure as well.
Kamikamica says with the increasing importance of the industry, the Government is committed to listening and hearing their views on how can they further foster a conducive ecosystem for BPO and become a sustainable pillar for the economy.
President of the Business Process Outsourcing Council, Craig Strong, says the new office encapsulates the industry body's commitment to its four strategic pillars and which are to enable, protect, to grow the sector and so the outsourcing sector has rightfully been recognised as one of the key sectoral agencies for the economy.
Strong acknowledged the support of Kamikamica to the industry and also for his vision as he was part of the drive since 2017 and a passionate council member before joining Government and becoming the Deputy Prime Minister.
He also acknowledged the support of all their stakeholders and is looking forward to working with them as they fulfill their ambition of being a perennial economic sector in Fiji.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
