Businesses vital in constitutional process: PM

Business communities around Fiji play a vital role during this constitutional process, says Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.

Speaking at Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) Australia-Fiji Branch Congress this morning in Nadi Bainimarama said their unique insight is essential to ensure the best results is achieved and their views must be a part of the process and must inform the finished product.

Bainimarama said in the past accountants and businessmen either shy away from nation building processes or they put forward their agendas through others and have not come forward themselves.

“Indeed it is obvious that some accountants, and I should not forget some lawyers, engineers and other professionals, actually are the movers and shakers, but, behind the scenes. They are what I call the silent elites,” said Bainimarama.

He said they need to break away from the patterns of the past, when professionals were content to attend forums such as this, and leave the reform processes to others like political parties and the other groups that have traditionally held power in Fiji what he calls the “vocal elites.”

He also said during the entire process they must uphold high standards, must maintain their integrity, must work and continue to develop and to demand a better and a new Fiji.

By Mereani Gonedua