ASK anyone in Labasa Town of the eminent business tycoon Charan Jeath Singh and they will point at Grand Eastern Hotel, Count Down supermarket or the Pontoon Night Club in the heart of the northern town.

The successful businessman that most people on Vanua Levu speak highly of and admire, not only owns properties on Vanua Levu but other parts of Fiji too.

Charan Jeath Singh Group of Companies was founded by Mr Singh some 20 years ago under its first retail outlet namely Gurbachan’s Food Town Supermarket later renamed Countdown Supermarket.

The group manages all its different activities under various trading names.

These include Gurbachan’s Food Town Limited, Gosal Distributors , an importing and distributing arm of the group, Orange Coast Investments Ltd which concentrates on hospitality aspects of the business operating hotels and motels including the Friendly North Inn in Labasa.

Then there’s the Lautoka Hotel in the sugar city, Vanua Rental Cars and Charan Katonivere Holdings Limited that focuses on the property division.

It has grown in the field of hospitality and entertainment through its trendiest and most modern entertainment hub in Labasa the Pontoon Nite Club, which gathers a score of folks wanting to wind down after a hard day’s work.

The night club has been creating events and was the first to introduce live music in Labasa.

The group has two more clubs namely, Ashiqi and Hunters Inn in Lautoka.

Cappuccino Corner is another group’s venture and is one of the busiest coffee and pastry shops in Labasa.

The group also owns the Grand Eastern Hotel due to undergo expansion soon as a result of boom in the flow of visitors to Labasa.

Mr Singh said they were committed to providing adequate accommodation, and the much-needed expansion was scheduled to begin next month.

“A new wing with very modern, 21st century equipped interior will keep its original architecture from the outside to give the structure a uniform look.

The double storey structure will hold 24 rooms,” he said.

The group also acquired various other real estate properties in Suva, Suva-Nausori corridor, Nadi Town and Labasa .

Mr Singh said recently, the group has embarked upon two sugarcane farms in Labasa.

For our latest venture, we have a paper recycling factory — Gosal Distributors Limited trading as South Pacific Waste Recyclers in Suva.

“We are looking into expanding this operation even further to capture the export market in the near future. “The South Pacific Waste Recyclers have come up with ways to turn trash into cash.

“Burning wastepaper is now a thing of the past since establishment of our multi-million dollar waste paper recycling plant in Laucala Beach Estate which converts waste paper into toilet tissues,” he said. “Its 100 per cent Fijian made and the brand is ‘Nambawan’ Toilet Tissue and it is very hygienic and environmental friendly.”

Also, a multi- million dollar expansion of the old Lautoka Hotel to a brand new seven storey complex is expected to begin soon.

Events marketing and public relations co-ordinator Aaron Singh said,”This boosts efforts to keep streets free of litter and make economic, social and environmental gains for the country. So be smart, choose ‘Nambawan’ toilet tissue”.

“Supporting Fijian — made means supporting the growth of Fiji which is one of the slogans we are using to make our customers realise that this is homegrown,” he said.

The group is expected to build a three-storey shopping mall in Labasa next month. The mall which is expected to be completed in July next year will house all modern facilities.

CJS Group has adopted its new tag line which is “Strive for Innovation”. Soon the City of Lautoka will witness a great transformation, a multi-million dollar expansion of the old Lautoka Hotel to a brand new seven storey complex that will house the modern Lautoka Hotel.

Source: http://www.fijitimes.com

HT Editor