The Graduate School of Business hosted a panel discussion on Tuesday, 1 July, centred on the theme “Digital Transformation, Innovation, and Sustainable Growth.”
The event brought together prominent industry leaders to discuss the evolving business landscape and the critical role of collaboration between the private sector and government in addressing ongoing challenges, particularly in the tourism industry.
The panel discussion was inaugurated by Dr Sunia and moderated by Dr Avanish Kr Shukla. Panellists included Fantasha Lockington, CEO of the Fiji Hotel & Tourism Association (FHTA); Farid Mohammed, CEO of Digicel (Fiji) Limited; and Tarlochan Singh, Principal Officer at Sun Insurance.
Each shared unique perspectives on how innovation and a shift in mindset were essential for businesses to successfully embrace digital transformation.
The discussion covered several key themes, including the growing importance of digital transformation and the need for strong cybersecurity measures.
The panellists emphasised that while connectivity is vital for digital progress, businesses must also prioritise data protection and consumer trust.
Innovation was highlighted as a critical driver of economic growth, with the adoption of new technologies and business models seen as essential for boosting productivity and competitiveness.
Sustainability also emerged as a central concern, with Lockington referencing the National Sustainable Tourism Framework, which focused on oceans, environment, people, and culture.
She stressed that collaboration between the government and the private sector was crucial to achieving long-term sustainability goals.
The panel also addressed challenges facing the tourism sector, particularly in the aftermath of COVID-19, which exposed significant workforce skill gaps.
In response, businesses were increasingly investing in training programmes and forming partnerships with educational institutions to equip workers with the skills needed for a digitally advanced tourism industry.
Looking ahead, the panel recommended several strategic actions to support sustainable development and digital progress in Fiji.
These include the implementation of Phase Two of the National Sustainable Tourism Framework to strengthen sustainability goals and the identification of environmentally sensitive areas that should remain undeveloped to preserve Fiji’s natural heritage.
Strengthening collaboration between tourism operators and government ministries was emphasised as key to addressing operational challenges in the sector.
The development of targeted upskilling strategies – through vocational training and partnerships with academic institutions – was also highlighted as essential to building a future-ready workforce.
Additionally, the panel called for enhanced data governance and security measures to protect consumer information and foster digital trust.
Finally, there was a strong emphasis on the need to continuously monitor Fiji’s progress toward becoming a regional ICT hub and successfully implementing its national digital strategy through 2050.
The panel concluded with a shared vision: that sustainable growth will depend on digital readiness, innovative thinking, and strong collaboration among stakeholders to build a resilient, future-focused economy.
