Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has called on market vendors around the country to try and speak with one voice.

He made this comment after he was told that there were four associations within the Suva Market, yesterday.

He was there to officiate the market celebrating Fiji Day and Diwali early.

He said when market vendors are united, they are much stronger.

“When you are united, you are able to think long term and are able to ask for the right things,” he said.

He told them that when you have different groups, they will be split.

“So, you need to remain focused, there are a lot of potentials,” he said.

He said the government had plans for all markets around the country which they would reveal later on.

“We have plans on how we can make our market more modern. Some markets need more improvements compared to others,” he said.

“Overall, we see the market as an area where it has a lot of potential to generate income for the economy and vendors.

“Today, the market vendors do not want to travel for long to sell their produce. You will have Flagstaff people that only want to go to the market at Flagstaff.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said during the colonial days they set up the markets beside the bus stands, this was the model that was followed in the past number of decades.

He said now markets have been built within an area as people now do not want to travel for long to sell their produce.

Story by: NACANIELI TUILEVUKA

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