THE Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) is hoping for a fair, positive and balanced budget.

NCCI president Dr Ram Raju said the budget should have incentives for growth and investments.

“Reforms for both private and public sector should be implemented that will help propel private sector growth confidently,” he said.

“Fiji has the potential, capacity and resources to match any other country in development and growth.

“Our GDP might have slowed but is relatively strong which is an indication of the confidence on the private sector. Our opportunities are boundless in generating economic growth, particularly in the private sector despite the effects of Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.”

He said Fiji had a vast area of land that could be better utilised and developed.

“Our land mass is about 18 times bigger than Singapore which makes one wonder.

“We have the capacity in abundance and genuine skilful society and unlimited resources which remains untapped.

“We can be the ‘Singapore of the Pacific’ without much difficulty if we pool all the resources together.”

He added that Nadi in particular was enjoying unprecedented growth and investment and more would stem from the town’s impending city status. The chamber made their formal submissions to the Finance Ministry this week.