Launch of TISA Insurance Keynote Address

Salutations

• Honourable Ministers and Members of Parliament;
• Leader of the Opposition to Parliament;
• Members of the Diplomatic Corp,
• Senior Government Officials;
• Turaga na Tui Suva and Representatives,
• The Chairman of the TISA Insurance Group,
• Distinguished Guests,
• Ladies and Gentlemen

Bula Vinaka and a warm good evening to you all.

1. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we stand today, Ki Nadomumai vua na Gone Turaga na Tui Suva, and pay my respect to their Chiefs, past and present, as well as emerging leaders. We recognise their enduring stewardship of the Vanua and their contribution to the stability and identity of our nation

Introduction

2. It is a privilege to join you this evening for an occasion that reflects growing confidence in Fiji’s economic direction and in the wider Pacific financial ecosystem.
3. The launch of TISA Insurance represents more than a corporate milestone; it is a reflection of institutional maturity, regional integration, and the strengthening of Fiji’s financial services landscape.
4. It also signals confidence in Pacific-led institutions to provide essential protection, resilience, and long-term security for our people, businesses, and communities.

Continuity and Rebranding

5. This evening does not mark the beginning of a new institution, but the continuation of a trusted legacy.
6. For decades, through Dominion Insurance and later Capital Insurance, this institution has stood alongside the people of Fiji—supporting households, enabling enterprise, and providing stability through times of both growth and uncertainty.
7. As TISA Insurance, that legacy is not diminished; it is strengthened. It now carries a distinctly Pacific identity that reflects both continuity and ambition, and the responsibility of safeguarding Pacific livelihoods into the future.
8. In the financial sector, names may evolve, but trust must endure. That trust is earned over time, through the ability to respond when it matters most, to restore confidence after loss, and to support recovery with dignity.
9. Importantly, this transition also reflects the broader strength of the TISA Group within the region, including its presence in Papua New Guinea. It reinforces institutional continuity, financial stability, and an integrated Pacific financial services platform, without altering the underlying prudential strength of the institution.

Insurance and National Development

10. Chairman, insurance is not a peripheral financial product. It is a core pillar of national development.
11. At its essence, insurance converts uncertainty into confidence. It enables investment, supports entrepreneurship, protects household welfare, and ensures that when adversity strikes—whether economic or environmental—recovery is possible and dignified.
12. For a small island developing state such as Fiji, exposed to climate change, global shocks, and natural disasters, insurance is a critical instrument of resilience. It underpins economic stability, strengthens fiscal buffers, and supports continuity in both public and private sector activity.
13. In this sense, insurance is not only about protection; it is about enabling growth. It is an essential foundation upon which sustainable development and long-term economic transformation are built.

Insurance within Fiji’s Growth Agenda

14. This Government’s development agenda is anchored in building a resilient, inclusive, and high-performing economy—one capable of sustaining long-term growth and improving the wellbeing of all Fijians.
15. Financial services, and particularly insurance, play a central role in this vision. As we pursue higher economic growth and productivity, expanding access to insurance ensures that households, MSMEs, and investors can participate more confidently in economic activity.
16. This includes extending protection and financial resilience to rural and maritime communities, ensuring that no segment of society is excluded from the benefits of formal financial systems.
17. In this regard, institutions such as TISA Insurance are not only commercial entities. They are development partners—supporting financial inclusion, strengthening market depth, and contributing to a more resilient national economy.

Market Confidence and Regulatory Strength

18. Fiji’s insurance sector has demonstrated resilience and steady growth, reflecting its increasing importance within the broader economy. Growth in premiums, assets, and claims activity highlights the sector’s expanding role in supporting households and businesses.
19. This growth is underpinned by strong regulatory oversight by the Reserve Bank of Fiji, which ensures prudential stability, solvency discipline, and sound risk management practices across the industry.
20. Complemented by robust standards on governance, consumer protection, and market conduct, Fiji’s insurance framework continues to foster confidence, transparency, and long-term sectoral stability.
21. Importantly, policy continuity and consumer protection remain paramount. The transition to TISA Insurance preserves all existing obligations and ensures that policyholders continue to receive uninterrupted protection and service.

Innovation and Financial Inclusion

22. The future of insurance lies in innovation, accessibility, and responsiveness.
23. As financial systems evolve, insurers must adapt to changing consumer needs, emerging risks, and technological transformation. This includes expanding digital platforms, improving product accessibility, and reaching underserved communities.
24. Innovation is therefore not optional—it is essential to deepening insurance penetration, improving affordability, and strengthening resilience across all segments of society.

Governance and Trust

25. The long-term sustainability of any financial institution rests on governance, integrity, and accountability.
26. These principles are central to maintaining public trust and ensuring the continued stability of the financial system.
27. In a sector built on promises for future protection, credibility is everything. Strong governance ensures that those promises are honoured consistently, transparently, and responsibly.

Community and Regional Impact

28. TISA Insurance has demonstrated that commercial success and community impact are not mutually exclusive—they are mutually reinforcing.
29. Its contributions to sports, youth development, women in business, and community initiatives reflect a broader commitment to social development and national wellbeing.
30. More broadly, it reflects the spirit of Pacific solidarity—where institutions grow not only for themselves, but for the benefit of the wider region they serve.
31. In this way, insurance becomes more than a financial mechanism; it becomes a social enabler of resilience, dignity, and shared prosperity.

Acknowledgement

32. To the Chairman, Group Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer for Fiji and Tonga, and the entire TISA team, I extend my sincere congratulations on this important milestone.
33. This achievement reflects leadership, vision, and the collective effort of all those who have contributed to the institution’s journey over the years.
34. I also acknowledge staff, intermediaries, and partners whose professionalism and commitment continue to underpin the success of the organisation.

Conclusion

35. As we look to the future, Government remains committed to building a strong, stable, and inclusive financial system that supports long-term economic transformation
36. Institutions such as TISA Insurance will play an important role in this journey—strengthening resilience, expanding financial access, and supporting sustainable growth.
37. The integration of strong financial services, including insurance, is essential to achieving Fiji’s long-term development objectives and ensuring that growth is both inclusive and resilient.
38. Ultimately, our shared goal is a Fiji—and a Pacific—where individuals, families, and businesses have the confidence to invest, to grow, and to recover from adversity.
39. It is therefore my honour and privilege to officially launch TISA Insurance.
40. Vinaka vakalevu and thank you.