Investment Fiji, OCO Global Partner To Improve

Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum met yesterday with Investment Fiji chair Jenny Seeto, Acting chief executive officer Kamal Chetty, and consultants from OCO Global, Joe Phillips and Danilo Batinga to discuss Investment Fiji’s Strategic Plan.

Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (second from right), speaks to OCO Global consultants Joe Phillips and Danilo Batinga. Also pictured are Investment Fiji chair Jenny Seeto (third from left) and Investment Fiji acting chief executive officer Kamal Chetty (fourth from left). Photo: DEPTFO News

Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum met yesterday with Investment Fiji chair Jenny Seeto, Acting chief executive officer Kamal Chetty, and consultants from OCO Global, Joe Phillips and Danilo Batinga to discuss Investment Fiji’s Strategic Plan.

During the meeting, an analysis of Fiji’s sectors in terms of Foreign Direct Investment and Trade was presented, where tourism, food and agriculture, basic manufacturing and professional services were among the top recommended markets for Fiji to pursue investment partnerships.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum emphasised the importance of close collaboration with national agencies and stakeholders to create an attractive investment climate that promotes employment and sustainable and social development.

The transformation of Investment Fiji’s strategy is in line with the objectives of the Investment Act 2021 which was passed in Parliament last year.

About OCO Global
OCO Global is a global corporation working with governments and companies across the world to enable international trade and investment.

It is headquartered in Belfast and offices in Dublin, London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York, Dubai, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Credit: Fiji Sun

Trade industry turning towards greener economy

The Ministry of Trade hopes to contribute to a greener economy as Fiji continues to advocate for climate change commitments internationally.

Talks are underway with five countries about a landmark international agreement to promote and initiate the trade of goods that are not harmful to the environment.

Permanent Secretary for Trade, Shaheen Ali says Fiji is negotiating with New Zealand, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland to launch an entirely new trade agreement.

“Once that agreement is negotiated and comes into force and we hoping by the end of 2022 we are able to get an agreement across that would encourage trade in environmental goods.”

Once the new deal is in effect, the Fijian government will also review our reliance on fossil fuels.

Companies and businesses are also encouraged to practice greener business culture and to reduce their carbon footprints.

Credit: FBC

Tenancy complaints remain a rising concern

SEEMA SHANDIL

The Consumer Council of Fiji has received 84 complaints pertaining to landlord and tenancy issues this year.

This has been recorded since January into the first week of this month.

Council Chief Executive, Seema Shandil says landlord and tenancy complaints are in the top five categories of issues received so far this year.

Shandil adds that despite numerous advocacies and awareness, they continue to receive complaints.

“The nature of complaints received include non-refund of bond, absence of tenancy agreement, poor home conditions, charging interest on areas”.

The Council is urging tenants to take pictures of the place before moving in and out to avoid paying unnecessary costs.

Credit: FBC

Over 3400 Fijians Benefit From First Home Grant: A-G

The Fijian Government has assisted over 3400 Fijian households since the inception of the first home grant initia­tive in 2014.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Housing Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum revealed this in Parliament on Friday.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the initiative start­ed in 2014 with a $10,000 assistance to Fijians with an annual household income of $50,000 below who were constructing their first home.

He said in 2018, this was further expanded by increasing the first home grant to $15,000 and introducing the first land purchase grant of $10,000 for those Fijians purchasing their first residential land.

This he said was a grant.

“Since its inception in 2014, the first home ownership assisted over 3400 Fijian house­holds with a total of $36 million,” Mr Sayed- Khaiyum said.

“In the 2020-2021 financial year we made a bold decision to increase the value of the grant to up to $30,000.

“This of course was done with the intention to help people own their own homes quickly and encourage them because we see the rate of home ownership in Fiji is quite low com­paratively.”

He further revealed that in the 2020-2021 fi­nancial year, a total of 433 Fijian households benefited from the first home grant, with a to­tal government investment of $7.5million.

“In the 2021-2022 national budget a total of $4million was allocated and as of date the to­tal allocation has been paid out. The demand was so high.”

Credit: Fiji Sun

Housing Authority: House Lots Scam

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is investigating how several former employees of Housing Authority of Fiji acquired housing lots for themselves.

Acting Prime Minister, Attorney-General and Minister for Housing, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, made the revelation when questioned in Parliament on an update of the Special Purpose Audit (special investigation) on lots allotment and awarding of tenders by Housing Authority.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said there were several weaknesses that were found in the operational side of the Housing Authority, in the management and middle management level, where people who should not have acquired those lots, had acquired them.

“Also, files related to the allocation of lots to several former employees have also been submitted

to FICAC itself for them to investigate as to how the staff, in fact, acquired these lots,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“So that is the status and what the board is doing, we have a new board, it is chaired by the CEO of FNPF, Viliame Vodonaivalu, the Deputy Chair is the CEO of FDB, Saud Minam, we have an engineer Renee Duguivalu from Nadi,” he said.

“Susan Naidu, who is also the manager of Koroipita Homes in Lautoka, Florence Takinana who is the lawyer by profession and a member of the real estate fraternity.

“So, Mr Speaker, sir, this board is currently finalising all these action plans and we hope to improve these processes within the Housing Authority of Fiji itself.”

Audit

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum believes a lot more can have been done by the Office of the Auditor-General.

He said the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the audit were not met.

“We had asked them to verify all information by checking the titles office, FNPF, et cetera, which was not done.

“In fact, we are informed that perhaps some people from the Auditor-General’s Office may have acquired some of those lots too and not necessarily entitled to it.

“So, there are a lot of things in the closet that are yet to be leaked out, but as a result of being proactive about it, the current board is in the process of finalising a draft lot allocation policy, which is going to be reviewed by the ministry and the board, a mechanism periodic declarations by Board Members also and all other staff in particular.”

Credit: Fiji Sun

Businesses show resilience during this third wave

The business sector has shown resilience during this third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as most have implemented lessons learnt from the last two waves.

Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation Chief Executive, Kameli Batiweti says the workforce continues to be boosted as employees have been progressively returning to work and businesses are trekking towards growth.

Batiweti says most employees were affected by the third wave, however, they were able to persevere.

“The numbers have improved, in fact, it has increased significantly compared to the first and second wave of the pandemic. The authorities, meaning the Ministry of Health and Government have all learned from the first two waves and therefore, the changes that have now occurred in the third wave is reflecting the learnings that we’ve had.”

The FCEF CEO says the number of people back at work now is significantly higher, and this can be attributed to tourist arrivals.

“Without their coming to Fiji, we would not have survived the third wave. We are grateful to our trading partners. We are grateful to the Australian government, American government and New Zealand government and all other governments that assisted us during this difficult time.”

Some members of FCEF have also welcomed the lifting of curfew hours as they will now be able to operate 24 hours.

The increase in public transport capacity to 100 percent is also great news to PSV drivers.

Credit: FBC TV

Tourism remains vital for the economy

Tourism will continue to play a major role in our economic growth.

With more states in Australia opening up for international travel, Fiji National University’s College of Business Dean, Professor Arun Elias believes this will augur well for Fiji.

Australians have made up the largest number of arrivals to our country since the international border opened last December.

Professor Elias says New Zealand has also announced some ease in travel.

“We are still somewhere less than 50 per cent, so there is a huge growth from Australia. Most importantly NZ was not there, NZ had not opened up at all. Jacinda Ardern has made an announcement that NZ will open up in five stages.

Professor Elias adds maintaining a high level of service and providing a COVID-safe environment are key factors to impress tourists.

“Tourists need to feel absolutely safe in this country. I think we are there, but we need to really improve the safety perception of our country. When they come and go to the managed isolation, we have to think of the service quality that we are giving.”

Around 23, 000 tourists arrive on our shores in December and similar numbers are expected for January.

Tourism Fiji believes these figures will increase further during the peak season.

Credit: FBC TV