Building registers for municipal councils reveal that 1399 new building applications have been received for the year to date valued at around $200 million.

The Assistant Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Lorna Eden, said in Parliament yesterday that municipal councils actively promote small and medium businesses.

During the second quarter of this year, she said around 8289 market stalls were occupied by market vendors on Fridays and Saturdays around the country.

“The ministry strongly believes in small and medium enterprises from the backbone to a strong economic and resilient nation,” she said.

“The ministry sees the contribution of market vendors as very significant to shaping the overall economy of a township.”

By the end of the second quarter, Ms Eden said municipal authorities had processed and issued 17,056 business licences.

“Comparative analysis showed that Nadi Town Council recorded the highest level of economic activity and growth with a 15 per cent increase followed by Nausori with an increase of 13 per cent,” she said.

Ms Eden said the level of investment confidence in townships and cities was high and Government’s infrastructure investment programme witnessed the desired outcomes in terms of driving investor confidence.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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