Mark Halabe is traveling to Brazil to explore equipment that could enhance productivity in Fiji’s garment industry. The investment, totaling millions of dollars, is expected to provide incremental support to his company, Mark One Apparel, where he serves as managing director.
“I’m open to any advancements that can help us stay competitive,” he noted. Previously, Mr. Halabe expressed concerns about the drastic rise in national minimum wages affecting the export manufacturing industry over the last three years. He highlighted that wages in India for the same sector are 30 percent lower than those in Fiji.
The manufacturing equipment Mr. Halabe plans to inspect features artificial intelligence technology, including a coded computer chip similar to a robot. “There are exciting projects on the horizon; we need to implement them before the year’s end,” he stated.
He emphasized the need to boost production, explaining, “We sell by minutes, not by garments; our efficiency determines our financial success. Reducing costs per minute has been our challenge, which involves minimizing non-productive tasks like moving fabric and reallocating workers to sewing machines.” He believes that artificial intelligence will enhance productivity by eliminating non-value-added processes during manufacturing.
Meanwhile, another prominent export manufacturer, Mike Towler, expressed support for the developments at Mark One Apparel. As the owner of Performance Flotation Development (Fiji) Ltd, the largest lifejacket manufacturer and exporter in the Southern Hemisphere, he pointed out that high freight costs and inadequate port facilities are significant issues undermining the industry’s competitiveness.
“None of this is easy; it requires substantial capital investment,” Mr. Towler remarked. “We must address these structural issues, or we risk stagnation in manufacturing. A comprehensive national infrastructure plan is essential, incorporating port improvements alongside critical needs like water, sewage, and healthcare facilities.”
He stressed the importance of collaborating with development partners, including China, to secure funding from major donor organizations.