BANKERS INSTITUTE CONVENTION..........

The Institute held an extremely successful Convention in Suva on Saturday 23 October 2010 for its members and guests.

The Convention profile provided  in the Official Programme Booklet stated that the FIB was holding this event for the first time since its inception. In line with its goals and objectives, this forum was yet another platform from which members and other participants would take benefit through educational addresses and presentations which prominent speakers were to deliver, relating to FIB’s future directions and strategies to fulfill its mission. 

The profile stated that the banking and financial services industries in Fiji were at different stages of development and there would be issues that would involve and engage us all.  Industry stakeholders were reviewing their roles and activities as a result of rapid changes taking place in the banking and finance arena.  There were many lessons to be learnt from the recent global financial crisis too, and that bankers would also need to familiarise themselves with numerous enhanced, or new regulatory requirements that had and were going to come about, both globally and here at home.  On the other hand, in response to increased consumer expectations there were several financial products, services and initiatives that the Financial Services Sector planned to put into place during the next medium to long term periods which would greatly benefit our country at large, and bankers would need to develop their knowledge and skills to prepare themselves to ensure successful implementation.

The profile stated that this Convention was not about showcasing the banking and finance industry.  It was rather a training and development program where participants, particularly those employed in the industry, would have the opportunity to be informed on how to train and equip themselves to meet their employers’ expectations in addressing those challenges. Whilst the presentations might therefore appear to be aligned towards the various operational and performance aspects of banking and financial institutions, their deliveries were clearly intended to concentrate on training and development aspects of banking industry human capital.

This memorable event began with the singing of Fiji's National Anthem by the Reserve Bank of Fiji Choir led by Mrs Torika Cakacaka, who also said the Prayer.

The Chief Guest, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, delivered the Keynote Address and officially opened the Convention. 

Other Speakers included Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Anti-Corruption, Public Enterprises Industry, Tourism and Communication Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum who addressed the Convention on the need to Harness Future Opportunities in Trade and Investment, the Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor Mr Sada Reddy who made a presentation on the Economic Indicators and Implications, Former High Court Judge Madam Nazhat Shameem who spoke about the Legal Challenges for Bankers and the Road Ahead for them,  the CEO of South Pacific Stock Exchange Ltd Ms Jinita Prasad who delivered an address on Bond, Capital and Stock Markets Development in Fiji and their future prospects, and the Director of Knowledge Equity Melbourne Australia Mr Courtney Clowes who identified Opportunities and Challenges for ongoing Professional Development for Bankers. 

The Convention included a Banking Industry Forum in which Chief Executive Officers  of the Institute's affiliated Financial Institutions participated, informing the gathering of projects and initiatives which were being pursued collectively from an industry platform. Some of these included Microfinance programmes, Financial Inclusion and Literacy, IT expansions and enhancements.

An interesting feature of the Convention was the inclusion of three Interactive Panel Discussions which were chaired by Dr Ganesh Chand, Vice Chancellor of the Fiji National University, Professor Biman Prasad, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics at University of the South Pacific, and Dr Shaista Shameen, Acting Dean and Associate Professor of Law at the University of Fiji's Suva Campus. Prominent personalities from the financial services and commercial sectors and the legal fraternity also made sterling contributions to the Panels. They were Mr Hemendra Nagin, Barrister & Solicitor, Dr Rohit Kishore, University Academic, Mr Nitin Gandhi, Chartered Accountant, Mr Narshiman Krishnan, CEO of Life Insurance Corporation of India,  Mr Iowane Naiveli, Accountant, Mr Nitish Niranjan, Fiji Motor Vehicle Dealers Association, Mr Vilash Chand, Unit Trust of Fiji and Mr Greg Watson of the Bank of South Pacific Limited.  

A short but informative presentation on the formation, mission, role, objectives and activities of the Institute was made by its Executive Secretary/Treasurer Mr Rasiklal Jogia. This was followd by short addresses from Dr Mahendra Reddy and Professor Arvind Patel from the FNU and the USP respectively who informed participants of the various courses of study which were being offered by their respective Universities. 

The Convention Communique on "Banking in Fiji - Roadmap and Directions for Bankers to 2015", prepared by a specially appointed Committee comprising of FIB accreditants Mr Vijendra Singh FFIB(Hon), Head of Audit Pacific Region ANZ Banking Group Ltd, Mr Razim Buksh AFIB, Director of Fiji Financial Intellegence Unit, Mr Savinesh Prasad AFIB, General Manager Finance HFC Finance, and FIB Committee of Management member Mr Raj Sharma FFIB, General Manager Risk Audit and Compliance HFC Finance, was then presented to the Forum by Mr Buksh.

The business session of the Convention ended with the Vote of Thanks and Closure formalities conducted by Mr Nafitalia Cakacaka, General Mnager Risk Management Fiji Development Bank.

The evening activities included Convention Cocktails and Dinner for participants and guests, followed by the highlight of the evening - presentation by Her Excellency The First Lady Adi Koila Nailatikau of FIB Accreditations and Certificates, Lifetime Achievement Awards Plaques to 28 FIB members who have rendered more than 25 years of service to Fiji's banking and finance industry, and the Official Launch of the FIB Incentive Awards.

Arrangements are underway for all presentations to be added to this segment in the very near future.  Meanwhile some photographs of the Convention and the Dinner & Awards function have been posted in this Website's Pictorial Gallery.