The ATH Group of Companies is planning on looking towards generating more income from overseas.

In its annual report for 2010, chairman Taito Waqa said Fiji will always be their home, but increasingly they are looking towards ICT expansion and marketing, investment in joint ventures, selling new products and services, and providing technical support using the skill sets that we have nurtured over many years.

Waqa revealed that there are also opportunities to benefit from 50% exemptions on profits from export, and their policy allows up to 25% of their capital base to be invested in other countries.

Waqa goes on to say that their new ATH subsidiary, Pacific Emerging Technologies where ATH has 51% of the Sydney based Pacific Electronic Commerce Limited company, through its Payecomm product, provides electronic payment amenities for telecommunication services and bills for water and electricity.

He added eventually ATH could earn more than 50% of its revenue offshore, as it now has operational terminals in Fiji, Tonga and Kiribati which are all connected back to a server here in Fiji.

Waqa said they have identified nine other markets in the Pacific region for future expansion by PET, and it is a very practical example of how Fiji can operate as the regional telecommunications hub utilizing the infrastructure that is now in place.

Meanwhile, ATH recorded a 53% decrease in profit for the period as at 31st March, recording an after tax profit of $15.4 million.


Story by: Ana Naisoro