FTIB Newsletter
Political Stability Vital
Political and social stability has been restored in Fiji and the government has acted swiftly to introduce policies and measures to ensure that stability regained is firmly entrenched and maintained in the long term.
Minister for Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Kaliopate Tavola conveyed this message to the business people who attended an investment recently.
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The seminar was organised by the Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau.
"The Fiji Government understands the importance of stability and security to investors and for this reason it is addressing these issues as a top priority," Mr Tavola said.
He said the root cause of political and social instability, that is, social and economic disparity is being decidedly addressed.
"This disparity is most visible in commerce and business where indigenous Fijians greatly lag behind," he sad. He added that government's affirmative action programme was designed to bring about greater economic and social equity in Fiji.
He compared the programme to New Zealand's social equity programme intended to, among other things, uplift the disadvantaged communities in New Zealand, including Maoris.
Mr Tavola led the FTIB-organised investment delegation comprising senior executives of the Reserve Bank of Fiji (deputy governor Sada Reddy), Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (Policies manager, Damian Norris), and FTIB (chief executive, Jesoni Vitusagavulu, Manager marketing, Viliame Volavola). Also with them were the newly appointed Fiji High Commissioner to New Zealand, Bal Ram, and the Trade Commissioner for the Forum, based in Auckland, Parmesh Chand.
Mr Reddy told the seminar in Wellington that the economy was expected to grow at least 3.5 percent this year due to the expected good growth in exports. Fish exports, for example, he said, is expected to eclipse for the first time the $100 million mark as it is forecast to reach $108 million this year compared to $89 million in 2001.
