Aitken Spence boosts Fiji Port efficiencies by 35% in two months
View(s):Aitken Spence’s public-private partnership with the Fiji Ports Corporation to oversee the operation of Suva and Lautoka ports, the largest in Fiji, has seen an increase in its efficiencies by 35 per cent within two months.
Marking the first- ever public-private partnership overseas by a Sri Lankan company recorded to-date; diversified blue-chip Aitken Spence bought a 51 per cent stake in state-owned Fiji Ports Terminal Ltd, taking control of businesses of the two ports for a period of 15 years, the Sri Lankan conglomerate said.
Picture shows from left - Attorney-General and Minister for Public Enterprises, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Ports Terminal Ltd; Chief Operating Officer, Hasthika Dela; Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC, J.M.S. Brito and Chairman of Aitken Spence Maritime and Director of Aitken Spence PLC - Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake
A ceremony commemorating the partnership between Fiji Ports Corporation and Aitken Spence PLC was held recently at the Holiday Inn Suva in Fiji, where Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, Chairman of Aitken Spence Maritime and Director of Aitken Spence PLC revealed the increased efficiencies in the ports.
“Achieving substantial gains in efficiencies within two months is a major milestone, especially in the absence of the shore cranes which are vital to enhance productivity and efficiency of the ports. Fiji Ports Corporation has assured us that it will be delivered by the end of this month” he said, in comments released to the media. Dr. Dissanayake further stressed what was encouraging was that shipping lines had written to them commending on the progress made so far. “This is a process where we have to continuously enhance the service delivery to sustain the level of efficiency to make sure we have a world class port,” he added while encouraging all stakeholders to join hands to deliver the service standards that they were expecting.
Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC, J.M.S. Brito said, “We are committed to establishing world-class best practices to our port operations in Fiji to improve its efficiencies and enhance its competitive position”.
Attorney-General and Minister for Public Enterprises in Fiji, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said that the Fijian Government looks forward to Aitken Spence’s internationally-exposed skill sets to help incorporating efficient management systems and style to the Fijian people and to its broader operations. “We look forward to you bringing your skill set and your expertise that not only exists in Sri Lanka but various parts of the world,” he said addressing the representatives from Aitken Spence.
He added that there are abundant prospects by Aitken Spence which the Fijian Government believes can be explored in numerous other areas. He indicated plans are currently underway on an agreement with Aitken Spence, with regards to further areas of engagement.
comments powered by Disqus