Vodafone Fiji has handed over a record dividend cheque of $33m in total to its two major shareholders the FNPF and the ATH Group as full and final dividend payment for last financial year.

This is the single largest dividend payout that the company has made to its shareholders since the inception of the company 21 years ago.

FNPF is the largest stakeholder of Vodafone Fiji with a direct and indirect control of 79% equity in the company.

FNPF Chairman Ajith Kodagoda says the record dividend is a great milestone for the country.

Kodagoda says it means all profits made by Vodafone Fiji Limited are retained in Fiji and the dividend received today will have a significant impact on FNPF’s income, which is later distributed to FNPF members.

He adds Vodafone Fiji has been a star performer in the portfolio of investments held by FNPF delivering impressive returns on FNPF member funds.

In July last year, Vodafone Fiji became a 100% locally owned entity after FNPF acquired 49% of Vodafone Group shares in the company.