: have you considered the capital markets? ” – what can be done? our role is to see that we create the regulatory and business environment in the capital market that is conducive and supportive of private sector development such that they become the engine of growth in the economy. we hope that by having this seminar in the west and inviting some prominent companies listed on the spse to share their experiences, businesses in the community will be better informed and encouraged to use the capital market given its associated benefits. i assure you that the reserve bank will do whatever it can to ensure the development of the capital markets, and will play a pivotal role in public education and investor awareness programs to foster confidence in the markets. we will also spearhead initiatives in partnership with other agencies including government to develop the capital market. similarly, we will dialogue with fellow regulators and find amicable solutions to areas that are deemed restrictive to the capital markets realising its full potential. our commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses in the capital markets is evident in the reduced corporate tax of 20 % incentive for companies that list on spse and with minimum 40 percent local equity shareholding. i wish to mention that following cabinet approval, reviews are currently underway to amend the capital markets and unit trust legislations. this we hope will facilitate economic development and improve the governance structures of companies. ladies and gentlemen, today we are fortunate that we have with us those that have experienced what it is like to be listed on the spse. they will share with us their experiences pre and post listing. it is my sincere hope that this seminar will demystify some of the concerns that surround this industry and that in the process we would see more activities in the spse and capital markets going forward. i urge you all to make best use of this opportunity to hear from them and also network with our licensed intermediaries who can assist and answer questions that you may have relating to capital raising in the capital markets and listing on the stock exchange. thank you again for your time and i wish you all a very good evening. vinaka.

barry whiteside : celebrating the fijian entrepreneurial spirit opening address by mr barry whiteside, governor of the reserve bank of fiji, at the launch of the 2013 fuji development bank small business awards, suva, 14 august 2013. * * * ratu deve toganivalu executives and staff of fiji development bank fellow sponsors distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen introductory comments bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all. thank you, ratu deve, for your kind invitation to launch the 2013 fdb small business awards. it is another significant event on the business calendar where we recognise the achievements of the private sector, and in this particular case, small businesses in fiji. these awards were conceived around the idea of the need for us all to stop what we are doing and salute those small businesses doing great things for our country. let us not only celebrate the winners, but also all the others that have dared to back their entrepreneurial spirit and set up a business. we trust that this event will create the necessary awareness out there of these “ mum and dad ” type enterprises. we hope that this will further encourage them to grow from strength to strength to become much larger businesses in the future. there are of course many examples we can cite of large successful fijian companies that started from virtually nothing. the small business awards today is actually the 10th anniversary of the fdb ’ s small business awards and i am honored to be here to share this achievement with you. i applaud the fiji development bank for organising this competition over the years. the fact that it has been sustained shows fdb ’ s commitment and energy towards growing the fijian economy by assisting the small players, particularly, in providing them with access to credit. one of the major challenges of small businesses is who will give them the money to start and sustain their initial operations? the winners i have been informed that this year there are seven award categories : – agriculture, tourism, wholesale & retail, professional & business services, manufacturing, a best business practice award and a special award. that pretty much covers everything. ladies and gentlemen, in as far as gender balance goes when it comes to small businesses, women are clearly the driving force. unfortunately they beat us men “ hands down ”. last year ’ s awards saw women entrepreneurs win five of the seven awards. as a man, this is always a difficult and painful one to explain as it is not only fijian men that suffer our well known “ malua