In 1982, Packaging Fiji Ltd, a shirt manufacturing company, commenced operations in Nadi, marking a significant development in the local industry landscape. With an initial investment of $80,000, the venture was established with financial backing from the Fiji Development Bank and the Bank of Baroda, along with contributions from the company’s directors. The project, which came to fruition four months after the initial discussions, was greatly influenced by the late Ponswamy Gounder, former secretary for commerce and Commissioner Northern, who emphasized the importance of local industries and guided the founders through the licensing and establishment processes.
The company was founded by two pairs of brothers: Harish and Mahesh Sundarji, along with Indra Wadan Khatri and Umesh Khatri, with the elder Khatri serving as the master tailor and designer. Their factory, located in the Lord’s building in Namotomoto Village, primarily produced high-quality dress shirts. They sourced materials from Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan, focusing on polyester cotton fabrics and offering five distinct designs.
Despite producing an average of 100 shirts daily, Packaging Fiji Ltd struggled to keep up with the burgeoning local demand for their products, selling shirts priced between $9 and $12 through major distributors across Fiji. Director Harish Sundarji expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming response from customers, noting that order fulfillment was a challenge due to time constraints.
Looking ahead, Sundarji mentioned that the company was exploring opportunities for exporting its shirts, particularly discussing potential deals with a New Zealand company under the SPARTECA agreement, although some obstacles in the agreement needed to be resolved.
This initiative reflects the growing capacity for local manufacturing in Fiji, which can lead to sustainable economic development and job creation. With ambitious plans for scaling production and possible export, Packaging Fiji Ltd is poised for a promising future, reinforcing the significance of local entrepreneurship in fostering community growth.
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