The Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF) is proud to welcome Mr. Ram Bajekal, Group Chief Executive Officer of Golden Manufacturers, as a distinguished moderator at the Top Executives (TOPEX) Conference 2025, Fiji’s premier platform for leadership dialogue and private-sector insight.

As Fiji confronts one of its most pressing economic challenges—the widening gap between workforce supply and industry demand—TOPEX will place a spotlight on practical, collaborative solutions. The highly anticipated panel discussion, “Bridging Fiji’s Skills Gap: Collaborative Strategies for Workforce Development and Retention,” will examine how government, business, and education can work hand-in-hand to build a stronger, more sustainable labour force.

A defining moment for Fiji’s workforce

Fiji’s labour landscape is shifting rapidly. Since 2018, an estimated 114,000 Fijians—nearly 12 per cent of the population—have migrated, taking with them valuable skills and experience. The result has been a widening skills deficit across essential sectors such as construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology.

To fill these gaps, more than 700 local firms are now recruiting foreign workers. Yet, challenges persist: youth unemployment remains at 18.3 per cent, and the time and cost of work-permit processing continue to affect productivity and business continuity.

This confluence of factors raises a crucial question: How can Fiji retain its best and brightest, while preparing the next generation for the jobs of tomorrow?

From challenge to catalyst

Moderated by Mr. Bajekal, the session will bring together a high-level panel of experts, including Mr. Paul MacKay, Manager Employment Relations Policy at BusinessNZ, and regional representatives from both government and academia. Together, they will explore models for vocational training, industry-led upskilling, and policy reform that directly respond to the evolving demands of Fiji’s economy.

Mr. Bajekal’s extensive business leadership and academic background—including a Fulbright Fellowship from Carnegie Mellon University—makes him uniquely positioned to steer this conversation. As a respected voice in national budget consultations and economic policy forums, he has consistently advocated for pragmatic and inclusive approaches to sustainable growth.

“Fiji’s human capital is its greatest asset,” Mr. Bajekal notes. “We must bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring that our young people see a future here—one that is both rewarding and globally competitive.”

Building bridges between education and industry

The urgency of this discussion echoes the recent warning by Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad, who highlighted the risk of continued labour migration if Fiji’s education and training systems fail to align with market realities. The panel will tackle this head-on, identifying actionable steps to:

• Strengthen technical and vocational education to meet industry needs;
• Enhance private-sector investment in training and apprenticeships;
• Create incentives to retain and repatriate skilled professionals; and
• Support regional labour mobility that benefits both employers and workers.

This session aims not only to diagnose Fiji’s skills crisis but to offer a roadmap for resilience—transforming brain drain into brain gain through collaboration and innovation.

Why TOPEX 2025 matters

For over six decades, FCEF has been the unifying voice of Fiji’s private sector. As the Federation marks its 65th anniversary, TOPEX 2025 promises to be more than a conference—it will be a catalyst for action. Under the theme “From Challenge to Catalyst: Global and Local Perspectives,” the event will bring together decision-makers, innovators, and thought leaders to shape strategies that matter for Fiji’s future.

Whether you represent industry, education, government, or civil society, TOPEX 2025 offers an unmissable opportunity to engage with the challenges and solutions defining our nation’s economic transformation.

As Fiji stands at the crossroads of growth and global mobility, TOPEX 2025 invites every leader to be part of the conversation—and the solution.

Registration

Seats are filling fast and we encourage early registration to avoid disappointment. For more information and registration details, please contact the FCEF Secretariat or visit our website.