Business license application simplified: Kumar

The Government is focused on reducing the processes, cost and time it takes for an individual to start a business in Fiji.

Local Government Minister Premila Kumar yesterday announced major reforms to ease the business licensing process.

Kumar says it currently takes around 40 days for businesses to meet extra requirements which is not in the business licensing act.

She adds it also takes municipal councils 5 days to issue the license, however after January 1st applicants will be able to obtain a business license within 48 hours.

“The municipal councils will inform the business or applicant if the councils are not able to issue the license within 48 hours. They must also give the reason as to why it cannot be done.”

Kumar has also announced that people can now own home-based businesses provided they meet certain conditions.

All business application reforms will be effective in eight days.

Credit: FBC

Date: 23/12/2019

We see significant scope for diversifying the Fijian economy even within the Tourism sector – International Monetary Fund

IMF Mission Chief to Fiji, Pablo Lopez Murphy

The International Monetary Fund says it sees significant scope for diversifying the Fijian economy even within the Tourism sector.

IMF Mission Chief to Fiji, Pablo Lopez Murphy says he is always concerned when an economy is so reliant on one sector like Tourism, a sector that could be vulnerable to natural disasters.

He says they always emphasize the need to build buffers to respond to these natural disasters.

Murphy says he has been coming to Fiji since 2017 and a strong improvement he has seen is the development of concrete plans to address issues.

He says he knows this will shape development opportunities for Fiji in the coming years.

Credit: Fijivillage

Date: 17/12/2019

TISI Sangam Fiji Foundation Launches $3 Million Retirement Villa Project

An artist impression of the newly launched TISI Sangam Fiji Foundation retirement villa project.

The TISI Sangam Fiji Foundation yesterday launched its new $3.4 million project in Suva.

The project consists of 16 Retirement Villas in a freehold 54 acre land in Nawai, Nadi.

The retirement village project was launched by TISI Sangam Fiji Foundation President Sadasivan Naicker and Chairman Sanjeev Mudaliar at the Suva Sangam Hall in Samabula, Suva.

TISI Sangam Fiji Foundation chairman Sanjeev Mudaliar said each two bedroom villa would cost approximately $295,000.

“In terms of pricing, these are approximate pricing and they are still subject to making a few adjustments,” Mr Mudaliar said.

“There is no retirement village of this magnitude in Fiji at this stage. This would be so affordable. The whole idea is it for people who are retiring,” he said.

“There are people who have children overseas who need better lifestyle for their parents.”

Expressions of interests

He said after the launch they would welcome expressions of interest from the public on the new villas.

“This would be an opportunity for the first 16 to register their interest in the new homes.

“Already there have been a lot of interest from people overseas for people that have been acquiring and reserving the two bedroom villas for their moms and dads.

“We need everyone to know that this is not restricted to Sangam families only, it is open to anyone.”

Project funding

Mr Mudaliar said the first phase of the project that includes 16 villas is estimated to cost more than $3m.

“I think it’s a good time for us to inject this into the economy,” he said.

“In terms of funding. I think many banks will be interested given the way things are and which bank would provide the best deals for us.

He said Sangam was in a position to self-fund the project as well.

“The idea now is to finalise

Legal and social challenges come with cheap housing plan

A NUMBER OF LEGAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES HAVE TO BE TACKLED TO MAKE THE GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING A SUCCESS.

A number of legal and social issues have to be tackled to make the government plans for affordable housing a success.

Discussions at the Annual Attorney General’s Conference today centered around the International Finance Corporation’s partnership with the government to build cheap high rise apartments for low-income earners.

IFC Investment Officer Ritesh Vij says new challenges will come with the construction of multi-storey apartments.

“It requires cultural and social acceptability to this concept. In all countries whether Asia, Europe or the US. Transitioning from horizontal living to vertical, was never easy. The government at different stages had to bring the right elements to strengthen the acceptability of vertical living.”

Vertical housing is needed in the Suva/Nausori corridor due to rapid urbanization and lack of housing – and new privately run-flats are not for the average family.

“They are all not targetted at affordable housing so it was out of reach for the majority of the population. What we need to consider is how to make it work by making it affordable”

The IFC is also working on laws to allow Fijians to own units, tenureship and community by-laws for people living in a complex.

Discussion is also needed on how these complexes will be run.

Credit: FBC

Date: 6/12/2019

Fijians investing in high-end properties

THE REAL ESTATE AGENTS LICENSING BOARD CHAIR DR ABDUL HASSAN

Fijians are now investing in high-end properties as the demand for luxury housing has increased over the years.

Properties advertised show rents have skyrocketed due to demand for high-end residences.

The Real Estate Agents Licensing Board Chair Dr Abdul Hassan highlights that under the current law there are no rules in place to control rent or the price of houses on the open market.

“We will work out something in terms of the commission that is being charged by the real estate agents. This also to some extent inflate the prices of properties.”

Local Government and Housing Minister Premila Kumar says consumers in the country have different choices.

“So there is a demand for high-end property and we have seen such properties being available in the market. It is a good sign and people are willing to rent high-end properties.”

Meanwhile, the price of renting houses and apartments continues to increase.

Credit: FBC

Date: 22/11/2019

REALB to have section on website containing information about prices of houses being sold in different locations in Fiji

Chairman of the board, Dr. Abdul Hassan

The Real Estate Agents Licensing Board will soon have a section on their website that will contain information about the prices of houses being sold in different localities in Fiji.

During REALB consultations at Rups Complex in Nakasi today, Chairman of the board, Dr. Abdul Hassan told Fijivillage this will be done to better inform people about the price range of houses in different localities.

Dr Hassan says they will start gathering information from various localities in Suva then move onto other urban areas.

Dr Hassan adds they hope to have the information on their website by June next year.

He says another step that can be taken to help with this issue is to have the property being sold valued by authorized valuers to know the worth of the property.

Dr Hassan also revealed that there are 23 cases involving bogus agents and they have also received more information about such cases from the Western Division.

He says they are trying to forward all these cases to the Criminal Investigations Department for investigation.

The Chairman revealed the board is trying to get more powers for the Compliance and Monitoring Officers who can prosecute the people involved in illegal activities.

He says this will reduce the time taken to resolve such issues.

The Chairman adds there are currently 80 licensed Real Estate Agents in Fiji who employ other sales persons.

Credit: Fijivillage

Date: 22/11/2019

Landowners receive mineral extraction royalties

LANDS MINISTER ASHNEEL SUDHAKAR HAS TOLD PARLIAMENT THIS PAYMENT IS OWED TO LANDOWNERS UNDER THE FAIR SHARE OF MINERAL ROYALTIES ACT 2018.

Landowners have been paid over $4.3 million dollars in royalty for mineral extraction.

Lands Minister Ashneel Sudhakar has told parliament this payment is owed to landowners under the Fair Share of Mineral Royalties Act 2018.

Over $1.1 million dollars has been paid to 3 iTaukei Landowning units.

Sudhakar says foreshore development leases, mining leases, and gravel extraction licenses generate income for landowners and help grow the economy.

The minister confirms more payments will be made in the coming months.

Credit: FBC

Date: 21/11/2019

Over 2,000 people assisted under first home initiative

HOUSING MINISTER PREMILA KUMAR HAS TOLD PARLIAMENT THERE HAS BEEN A GROWING DEMAND FOR THE FIRST HOME AND FIRST LAND GRANT.

2,321 people have benefitted from the government’s first home initiative in the last 5 years.

Housing Minister Premila Kumar has told Parliament there has been a growing demand for the first home and first land grant.

Under the two schemes, eligible Fijians are given a government grant to buy or build their first home.

Kumar says 336 applications were approved in the first quarter of 2019 alone.

She says interest in homeownership reflects the confidence of the public and the financial sector in the economy.

Credit: FBC

Date: 19/11/2019

Squatter resettlement to continue: Kumar

PEOPLE DESPERATE FOR HOMES ARE BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF – HAVING TO PAY EXORBITANT AMOUNTS TO RENT IN SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS.

People desperate for homes are being taken advantage of – having to pay exorbitant amounts to rent in squatter settlements.

Housing Minister Premila Kumar has told Parliament that 450 families from five settlements have their own homes already.

“There are unscrupulous slumlords who charge excessive rents and opportunists who try to take advantage of the government’s programme to grab land from those in genuine need.  Stronger policy and regulatory framework will address this.”

Work is progressing on nine other squatter settlements to re-house over 1,200 families.

Kumar says families will have their own leases and not be at the mercy of shady landlords.

The Ministry has secured development leases from the iTaukei Land Trust Board for the relocation programme.

Credit: FBC

Date: 19/11/2019

Economy has maintained a steady growth: Kirpal

GOVERNMENT MP SANJAY KIRPAL

We can take our nation to new heights if we are united and work together rather than criticizing the government’s hard work and effort.

This was highlighted by the Government MP Sanjay Kirpal while speaking in support of the President’s address in Parliament.

Kirpal adds the economy has maintained a steady growth.

“Our role as honorable members of this house is to give positive feedback to the members of the public about the developments in the economy and the impacts of measures taken.”

He supported the statement made by the President that one should not politicize the economy.

Kirpal says landowners have also been engaged to make sure that land is used productively which will benefit their own community and households.

Credit: FBC

Date: 18/11/2019