Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka encouraged commercial operators in Ba Town to launch new ventures and expand their enterprises.

He met with the Ba business community at the Ba Town Hall yesterday as part of his three-day west tour.

Ba is well-known for producing companies such as Vinod Patel, R.C. Manubhai, Bhikabhai, Maganlal Jiwa, Dayal and others.

“Our Government’s policy is to work closely with these. Part of this process is to simplify the investment procedures,” he said.

“They all helped shape Fiji’s economy through their entrepreneurial spirit and vision.

“The same kind of business acumen and drive flourishes in many other parts of the country. Ba is not just about tycoons of commerce.”

He said more jobs had been created while salaries and wages in the last nine months have been on the rise; and promised to review national minimum wages.

“There is a clear trend towards new investment in business and we expect that to be reflected here in Ba as well,” Mr Rabuka said.

Ba Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Dinesh Patel urged the Government to bring solution to the worsening flooding problem, which has been ravaging the township.

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