1st 140613, pidf speech on smo & green growth

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and Green Growth Warwick Pleass Chairman and Managing Director Pleass Global Limited, Fiji Pacific Islands Development Forum 2014, Nadi, Fiji

Introduction to Pleass Global Ltd  Established in 1996, listed on the SPSE 2009.  Started as a frozen “fizzy drink” beverage company and packaging distributor.

 Evolved into a diverse corporation with focus as a water bottler and champion of sustainability and the environment.

 Developed world’s best practice products and services in sustainability and environmental enhancement in the bottled water and eco tourism space.

How to achieve sustainable development? Get business incentivised. We need more than conferences and workshops to make sustainable differences. Business can deliver the objectives we all seek.

Three fold role of Governments and NGO’s I believe that the most effective role is; •Dramatically increase the quality and quantity of environmental education (adults and children).

•Not only have in place laws and regulations to protect the environment, but to enforce them. It is enforcement that is so sadly lacking in the islands.

•To find ways to incentivize, encourage and reward business for this work. Not monetary; they are generally good at making money. There are so many other ways to reward them that they can use to justify their expenditure and investment.

Pleass Global initiatives;  VaiWai® Natural Artesian Water’s plastic cap and bottle are made using special ingredients. They enhance biodegradation in microbe rich environments like landfill, waterways and the oceans.

 Making our buildings green.  Flora and Fauna conservation. E.g. Balaca Diffusa and the conifa Fiji Acmopyle.

 Eco tourism.  Organic sustainable farming.  As well as the myriad other ways like minimizing waste, recycling, energy reduction.

Conclusion  I agree that progress and prosperity are not at odds with sustainable development.

 I am not only arguing that sustainable development can be led by business, I say it is the best way.

Thank you for your attention