$400m Over Next Decade for North

NaVualiku, known as the Fiji Tourism Development Programme for Vanua Levu, was launched by the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at Wasawasa Lodge in Savusavu on Friday. It is a Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation project, funded by the World Bank.

Mr Rabuka said the initiative, supported with a strategic financial partnership with the World Bank, was more than just a monetary investment.

“The World Bank is committing $400 million over the next decade to support economic growth in the Northern Division,” Mr Rabuka said.

“We are committed to transforming Vanua Levu into a thriving tourism hub, one that fosters economic growth, creates meaningful employment, and attracts both local and international investment.”

He said tourism continued to be a driving force in our economy, and recent data from the Reserve Bank of Fiji, showed that visitor arrivals remained strong with nearly 100,000 visitors arriving in July and more than 94,000 in August.

These numbers, he added, reflected Fiji’s strong appeal as a destination for holidaymakers, business travellers, and those visiting friends and family.

“Enhancing tourism in the North will provide jobs, spur local businesses, and inject much-needed investment into this region,” he said.

“This development initiative aims to create the infrastructure and services needed to attract more visitors to the Northern Division, sharing the benefits of our thriving tourism industry.”

Mr Rabuka said the programme would create jobs, boost local businesses, and bring new opportunities to the doorstep of every family.

“In the Northern Division, the poverty rate hovers around 29 per cent and most of those affected live in rural areas,” he said.

“While the Northern Division has the lowest multidimensional poverty rate in the country, at 26 per cent, we still have work to do to lift all of our citizens out of poverty and into a better quality of life.”

Sustainable tourism for North

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka said Nadi, Denarau, Yasawas, Mamanucas and the Coral Coast accounted for about 80 per cent of all visitors.

“In contrast, North receives around four per cent,” he said.

“This disparity highlights the untapped potential of Vanua Levu, which the NaVualiku programme aims to unlock.”

He said the programme was also focused on enhancing the quality of life for the citizens and mobilise infrastructure.

Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh, Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu and Minister for Housing and Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa were also present at the launch.

Mr Rabuka will also open NaVualiku project office at JKS Holdings Building in Savusavu on Saturday.

Meanwhile, World Bank Group country manager for Fiji, Stefano Mocci said this was a first time approach being used in any single country in the Pacific, which signalled the group’s confidence in Fiji’s capacity to implement a complex and ambitious programme of this scale.

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