The Government is targeting growth in small and medium-sized businesses to build Fiji’s economy, says Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

“The basic objective is to see that everyone wanting to form or build a small or medium-sized business from within our town centres can find opportunities through the facilities at our municipal markets,” he said.

Mr Bainimarama was speaking yesterday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new $5.84 million Rakiraki Municipal Market in Rakiraki which would take 12 months to complete.

He said it was a small part of their commitment to the people of this area and the town of Rakiraki, who suffered so much during Tropical Cyclone Winston.

“When the first phase of this market is finished, it will be home to 307 vendor stalls, more than double the 127 stalls in the market today,” he said.

Mr Bainimarama said the first phase alone represented an investment of some $5.84 million of which Government was contributing $2.64 million and the Australian Government and UN Women were contributing the balance.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

Feedback: charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj