Unit Trust of Fiji launches $150M property projects to drive investor returns

The Unit Trust of Fiji (UTOF) has launched three self-funded commercial building projects worth $150 million, with plans to scale investments to $500 million by 2028.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka officially launched the projects this evening at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, marking what he called “a bold and visionary undertaking” that signals confidence in Fiji’s economic potential.

The initiative is managed by UTOF's newly commissioned subsidiary, UTOF Properties Pte Limited, chaired by Isikeli Tikoduadua.

The three projects includes:

• A 10-storey state-of-the-art commercial building in Suva’s McGregor area with a $110 million investment;
• A $20 million luxury apartment complex at Laucala Bay featuring one and three-bedroom units with modern amenities, and;
• A $20 million six-storey commercial building in Namaka, Nadi, directly opposite the Namaka market.

UTOF chairperson Lavinia Kaumaitotoya explained the projects are “self-funded” using unit holders’ invested funds.

Unit Trust of Fiji chairperson Lavinia Kaumaitotoya.

Photo: Kaneta Naimatau

“Whatever funds are being given to us by our investors, our unit holders, we use that. We are investing into these properties,” Ms Kaumaitotoya told this masthead.

She said once buildings are completed in two years, rental income would generate a minimum 8 per cent return for investors.

“Today, if you put your money into the banks, the interest is less than 1 per cent," Ms Kaumaitotoya said.

“But what we’re doing is once we plough it into here, it’ll give us a return of 8 per cent and that’s eight times more,” she said.

Mr Rabuka said the developments would create jobs across construction, retail, and property management sectors while boosting local economies and enhancing investor confidence.

“You are part of a growing legacy of Fijians taking ownership of our country's economic destiny,” Mr Rabuka told unit holders.

UTOF currently manages $570 million in funds, projected to reach $600 million by year-end.

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