Talks are underway to ensure longer opening hours for markets and the Suva Market could be one of the first to do so if talks are successful.

Minister for Trade, Tourism, Industries, Local Government, Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar said this step would boost economic activity.

“Traditionally we have been opening municipal markets from Monday to Saturday and every day we have been closing the market around 4.30 pm to 5 pm and Sundays the markets are closed,” she said.

“And what happens when markets are closed? There are vendors who sell outside. This does not make sense.

“The market is a place to sell and what we would like to see is that the markets are open at least six days a week and it should open a bit longer to 6.30 pm or 7 pm. And we are still talking to the market vendors.”

Ms Kumar said there was also concern about the ad hoc stalls being set up on roadsides. She said these stalls were a safety and health risk.

She said such stalls were illegal.

“That is why the Government has allocated money towards enforcement,” Ms Kumar said.

“If you would have seen them on the roadsides, they are not just using the footpath, even the curb of the footpath, they are literally putting things on the road.

“It is dangerous and it is a safety concern and we want to control that.”

Edited by Epineri Vula

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