A complete change of mind-set is needed if iTaukei people want to become successful in investments and in establishing businesses.
This view was shared by iTaukei Trust Fund Board CEO Aisake Taito at the Ra Provincial Council meeting talanoa session yesterday.
Mr Taito says communal living was very much integrated in the lives of the iTaukei people and this would need to change if they wanted to become successful investors and business people.
However, he shared with the people of Ra that such transformation may take time, and they were working closely with the Government in piloting projects in a few provinces to see how best this may work.
“We the iTaukei people are very slow, way slow when it comes to investment and establishing businesses,” Mr Taito said.
“We are used to communal living, working together and doing things together.
“Our lives are adapted to giving away, and we are used to the culture of doing things together.
“The Government announced the increase in VAT this year, yet we continue to see people in their kalavata and in kava barrels and functions.”
The former Fiji National Provident Fund CEO said it was time for the iTaukei to learn from people of other cultures who were successful business people and investors in the country.
