Members of Cabinet;
The Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, Mr. John Degory;
The Wonderful Company’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Mr. Craig Cooper;
Members of the FIJI Water Advisory Board;
Na Turaga na Tui Vatukaloko Ratu Marika Rasuwaki and Head of the 4 Yavusa’s;
Staff of FIJI Water;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
 
Ara Na Yadra as they say here in Ra - Ni sa Bula Vina’a and a very Good Morning to you all.
 
Thank you, Evalyn, for those kind words of introduction.
 
The last time I was here at the FIJI Water complex was way back in 1996 during my first term as Prime Minister when I was invited to open your original water bottling plant.
 
Now, 28 years later, I’m glad to see how this iconic and global brand – “FIJI Water” – continues to grow in leaps and bounds as today we mark yet another milestone.
 
Who would have imagined back then that water sourced from here in Yaqara would become the number one premium imported bottled water in the United States and also exported to some of the most exclusive resorts, hotels, and restaurants across 60 countries around the world!
 
I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank two very important people behind this incredible success story – Lynda and Stewart Resnick – founders of The Wonderful Company and co-owners of FIJI Water.
 
The Resnicks have a very simple mantra that many businesses here can learn from – supporting the well-being of our employees and their families where they live, work, and play. Through their FIJI Water Foundation, they have impacted thousands of lives not just here in Ra but across Fiji.
 
Over the last 10 years, the Foundation has spent more than 17 million dollars on a wide range of projects nation-wide. From providing school backpacks for children, new wells for drinking water, community grants to local organizations, and major donations that helped fund new toilets at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital Maternity and Children’s Ward (CWM), their business success is closely linked with their community outreach.
 
The Foundation has also supported a number of efforts aimed at strengthening local infrastructure across Naiyalayala. In collaboration with the village water committees, it has supported the ongoing maintenance of clean water sources to the villages of Naseyani, Nananu, Rabulu, Togovere, and Drauniivi. Community grants have also enhanced the Secondary School library, rebuilt the bus shelter after Cyclone Yasa, and funded one-on-one tutoring for the children of FIJI Water employees. And with more initiatives underway, our communities are sure to flourish even more.
 
As mentioned by Mr. Craig Cooper earlier – and I think it is well worth repeating – this major investment is the largest since the company launched this iconic brand in 1996 and will increase capacity by as much as 47% over the next few years.
 
I am also very happy to hear that these new lines will achieve a 10% increase in energy efficiency efforts and result in 10% less cardboard in its packaging, demonstrating FIJI Water’s long-term environmental sustainability goals. They’ve even started transitioning nearly 40% of their water bottles to recycled plastic.
 
This all underscores the critical importance of why responsible corporate citizens such as FIJI Water, in partnership with Government, have a shared responsibility to fortify our stance and strengthen global commitments to combat climate change.
 
As one of the country’s leading employers, this plant capacity expansion also builds on FIJI Water’s efforts to provide an innovative and safe workplace with long-term career development opportunities for its nearly 400 employees here at Yaqara.
 
Today, I am proud to say that Earth’s Finest Water is now sourced from one of the most advanced water factories in the world.
 
The “capacity expansion project” will surely increase our export and further improve our foreign exchange earnings.
 
This is also a clear sign of confidence by FIJI Water to invest and expand its operations in Fiji.
 
The coalition government is committed to support and facilitate both foreign and local investors alike through providing the enabling environment and make Fiji a friendly and stable country for investment.
 
I strongly believe that through this type of investment, we will be able to generate employment opportunities for our people and will further improve their standard of living.
 
And with that, it is my great pleasure to commission FIJI Water’s Capacity Expansion Project.
 
Vina’a Vakalevu!