A $2 million supermarket investment by former politician and Rakiraki businessman George Shiu Raj was officially opened yesterday.
Shop Plus Supermarket in Rakiraki has created 40 job employment opportunities with 80 per cent being females.
Officiating at the opening of the facility, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the supermarket would be a great boost for the economy of Ra and Fiji as a whole.
“Today (Wednesday), we witness again the fruits of sacrifice by Mr Shiu Raj and his family in the opening of this new supermarket,” Mr Rabuka said.
“It is a venture by Mr Shiu Raj and his family at a time when Rakiraki and the province of Ra needs a boost in economic activities to replace the closed down Penang Sugar Mill, that has been closed for some time now.
“Laying off so many workers and having an impact on the economy of the town and the province.
“We congratulate Mr Shiu Raj, a former minister, well known businessman, who has contributed to the economy, not only to the Ra province but also to our country for so many years.”
Mr Rabuka said according to the last census survey, the Ra province had about 30,000 people, equally divided between men and women.
“As we were reminded last week, we need to be conscious of our efforts to balance up the gender and their treatment in our country.
“This is an opportunity for more women in Ra to be taking up jobs in this new supermarket.”
Businessman and owner George Shiu Raj said he was committed to invest in the province of Ra for the better of the local community.
“I have grown thanks to your support and now I feel a deep sense of responsibility to give back through these investments,” Mr Shiu Raj said.
“We are here not just to provide products, but to create a shopping experience that caters for your needs.
“We will offer quality service and a commitment of excellence.”
Note: This article was first published on the print version of the Fiji Times dated April 17, 2025
