Opening Of Food Outlets A Game Changer, A-G Tells

More than dozen staff who were laid off work after COVID19 have been absorbed into employment with the launch of a new establishment “Peri Peri” at the new Modyl Plaza in Vatuwaqa last night.

While opening the restaurant, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said “with COVID-19 around at times like this, it shows the owner’s fortitude to be able to continue to invest in the economy and the country”.

“I would like to thank Vinesh Dayal for his investment, not just here but also in Vanua Levu and with him opening the North Pole, it really was a game-changer in the township of Labasa,” the A-G said.

“Opening up his food outlets really was a game-changer not only in terms of investment but also their quality of service. #Fijians in Labasa had not seen that type of service being offered to them and there was not much of a competition in particular the quality of accommodation available to those who wanted to visit what we fondly call LA.

“If you have been to his restaurant and pub and seen the decoration and aesthetics around the place, there is none like that in Labasa. We like businesses like this and we like to support businesses like that,” he added.

The A-G added that this has actually provided a huge opportunity for other businesses and the township to grow, and is something which the Government appreciates.

He also spoke on a number of initiatives which has been announced in the 2020-2021 national budget and encouraged business people to take advantage of the opportunity.

“You can now lease land for 99-years for agricultural purposes and therefore get loans from the mainstream commercial banks. Any profits from the subdivision of lots is not taxable, it is income-tax free. We have done that because we want people to have access to land and more people to have access to homes because the rate of homeownership in Fiji is low,” the A-G said.

“Some of you may be engaged in similar businesses for the past 20-years, please think outside the box. Agriculture for example is a wonderful business to get into and many people in Fiji have not seen agriculture as a large-scale business proposition.

“There are a number of initiatives put in place and I urge the business people to please think about those opportunities and take advantage of it because these advantages may not last too long once the borders open up.”

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