FRCS proudly joined over 280 participants from government agencies, international organizations, and NGOs in a powerful show of unity and environmental responsibility during a sunrise clean-up event in Suva on Monday morning. The initiative marked both World Environment Day and World Oceans Day, reinforcing Fiji’s national commitment to ending plastic pollution in the marine environment.

Organized by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in collaboration with more than 30 stakeholders, the event saw an impressive 1,500 kilograms of rubbish collected from Suva’s foreshore and surrounding areas. This collective effort not only beautified the coastline but also sent a strong message about the importance of protecting our oceans and natural ecosystems.

FRCS’s participation reflects its ongoing dedication to corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship. By actively engaging in initiatives that promote sustainability, we continue to lead by example—demonstrating that every organization has a role to play in building a cleaner, greener Fiji.

This event showcased the power of collaboration and community spirit in tackling environmental challenges. We remain committed to supporting national and global efforts that safeguard our environment for future generations.

At FRCS, we are committed to cultivating leadership that not only drives performance but also embodies our core values. Recently, our Executive Leaders and Managers came together for a powerful full-day leadership programme titled “Leading Our Vision and Values.”

This immersive and highly interactive session was designed to deepen leadership alignment with FRCS’s values and accelerate our cultural transformation journey. It brought together the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and senior leaders in a collaborative space focused on self-awareness, strategic alignment, and values-based leadership.

The programme was facilitated by Ms. Joan Mather, an experienced leadership and team coach and consultant. She is passionate about empowering leaders to reach their full potential—both individually and collectively. Joan’s approach focuses on creating a supportive space where leaders and teams can share experiences, challenge themselves, learn, grow, and lay the foundation for sustained success. In essence, she is dedicated to developing leaders to be their best—today and into the future.

Key Highlights of the Programme:

• Insights Discovery® Framework

Leaders explored their individual leadership styles, strengths, and challenges—gaining valuable insights into how these traits influence team dynamics and organizational outcomes.

• Culture and Values in Action

Participants examined the key drivers of workplace culture and reflected on how FRCS’s values are demonstrated—or missed—in everyday interactions.

• Role-Modelling Values

Practical strategies were shared on how leaders can consistently role-model FRCS values through their decisions, behaviours, and communication.

• Collaborative Action Planning

Through engaging breakout sessions, teams co-developed actionable plans to activate and embed values within their respective departments.

• Peer Coaching and Personal Visioning

Leaders supported one another through peer coaching, crafting personal leadership visions grounded in our shared values.

A Commitment to Culture

This workshop was more than a development session—it was a collective commitment. A commitment to lead with integrity, foster a culture of accountability and respect, and ensure that our values are not just aspirational statements, but guiding principles in every decision we make.

The energy, openness, and collaboration displayed by our leaders mark a significant step toward building a unified, values-driven culture at FRCS.

Looking Ahead

The insights and strategies gained from this programme will serve as a strong foundation for ongoing leadership development and cultural alignment. Together, we are shaping a future where every FRCS leader is empowered to lead with purpose, authenticity, and a deep connection to our organizational values.

In a heartwarming turn of events, our customer service team received a delightful surprise on Tax Day. Gabrielle Simson, a taxpayer who had recently experienced exceptional service, visited the Customer Engagement Centre in Suva with a thank you cake, making it a memorable “cake day” for everyone involved. 

Gabrielle’s journey began last year when she sold her boat to a local entrepreneur who owns a resort in Dawasamu, Tailevu. Unaware of the tax obligations tied to the sale, she faced an unexpected hurdle during a visit to Fiji. Her bank had placed a hold on her funds due to the absence of a Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC), which was necessary for transferring the funds from the buyer’s account to hers.

Understandably anxious and stressed by this unforeseen complication, Gabrielle travelled all the way from America to Fiji to resolve the matter. She noted that such an oversight with the American Internal land Revenue Service (IRS) could have led to severe consequences.

Fortunately, the FRCS customer engagement team in Suva dedicated their morning on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025, to assist Gabrielle. They diligently worked to process the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) assessment for the boat sale and issued the Tax Clearance Certificate required for the fund transfer. Upon receiving the certificate, Gabrielle was visibly overcome with emotion and expressed her sincere gratitude to the team. She was deeply thankful for their support in ensuring she could finally settle the issue.
This story is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the FRCS officers on the front line. By upholding FRCS values and integrating them into their work, they have significantly elevated the overall customer experience. Gabrielle’s heartfelt appreciation and the celebratory cake serve as a sweet reminder of the positive impact that excellent customer service can have on individuals’ lives.

A dynamic team of experts from the Australian Border Force (ABF) is leading an exciting five-day workshop with Senior Customs Officials, aimed at bolstering the legal and policy framework for Customs licensing.

This marks the second workshop of its kind by the ABF team, with key goals to:

• Review the new implementations made under the Customs Regime
• Work together to develop the Demerit Points System for the Bonded Warehouse and Container Freight Station (CFS) Operators
• Assist the Customs Brokers in Fiji to strengthen their networking with Customs with assistance of Brokers from Australia

This workshop provides a vibrant and interactive environment where participants can openly discuss challenges and brainstorm innovative solutions.

FRCS deeply values its robust partnership with the ABF and is grateful for the exceptional support and dedication from ABF in enhancing Fiji’s border management and security.

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) celebrated the third National Tax Day today at its Headquarters in Nasese, Suva. This milestone initiative aims to foster national awareness and appreciation for taxation. The event was graced by the Assistant Minister of Finance, Hon. Esrom Immanuel, who officiated as the Chief Guest.

In his address, Hon. Immanuel emphasized that taxation is the lifeblood of any nation. In Fiji, taxes are not merely a fiscal tool but a powerful force driving economic progress, social upliftment, and nation-building.

“Tax revenues fund essential infrastructure—roads, bridges, ports, and public transport—that form the backbone of economic connectivity, trade facilitation, and productivity. These investments attract foreign investment, stimulate local enterprise, and create job opportunities,” he informed the participants.

“Taxes also sustain the delivery of fundamental public services such as healthcare, education, and social protection. These services are critical to building a healthy, skilled, and resilient society.”

Hon. Immanuel applauded FRCS for its significant achievement in transforming its services from fully manual to fully digitized. He also commended FRCS for its proactive efforts to improve taxpayer awareness and understanding through a range of educational initiatives, including public workshops, stakeholder forums, user-friendly publications, and interactive online resources.

“The Compliance Improvement Strategy (CIS) is a laudable step toward promoting voluntary compliance and risk-based enforcement. Together, these initiatives help foster a culture of civic responsibility and fairness, ensuring that our tax system remains transparent, inclusive, and efficient—in service of Fiji’s broader development goals,” he stated.

FRCS has designated 8th May as National Tax Day, commemorating the first recorded tax imposed by individual chiefs in the General Assembly established in Levuka in 1865, as documented by Ronald Derrick in his book ‘A History of Fiji’ (1950). The theme for the 2025 National Tax Day is “Empowering Sustainable Growth through Fair and Collaborative Taxation.”

As part of the Tax Day celebrations, FRCS organized essay competitions for primary and secondary school students to raise awareness about the importance of taxation. Tax education is essential for building financial literacy among students, helping them understand the financial system, manage personal finances, and make informed decisions. All winners of the competition were awarded gift hampers and cash prizes.

FRCS Board Chair, Mr. Malakai Naiyaga, reported that the current total revenue collection from August 2024 to March 2025 stands at $2.281 billion in taxes. FRCS has surpassed the cumulative forecast by $138.9 million or 6%. In comparison, during the same period last year, the collection was around $1.967 billion, which was below the cumulative forecast by $82.8 million or 4%. Consistent monthly revenue growth has played a key role in maintaining a positive variance against the monthly forecast.

Mr. Naiyaga attributed the boost in collection to the favorable cumulative collection of key tax types such as Value Added Tax (VAT), which contributed $1 billion or 45% towards the total collection so far, income taxes contributed $670 million or 29%, trade taxes contributed $391.8 million or 17%, and other taxes and levies contributed $181.3 million or 8% of the tax mix.

FRCS CEO, Mr. Udit Singh, thanked Hon. Immanuel for his inspiring address, stating that his insights had greatly inspired key stakeholders, including policymakers, businesses, educators, and the public, in understanding the role of taxation in building a resilient economy. He also congratulated all winners of the FRCS Tax Day competition and acknowledged all participants who joined in marking this significant event.