FIJIANS have long worked in some of the country’s biggest businesses without having the opportunity to own a share in them, says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
He made the comments following Warwick Hotels and Resorts’ announcement that Warwick Holdings Fiji was set to be listed on the South Pacific Stock Exchange, giving ordinary Fijians an opportunity to buy shares and own part of the company.
“We stay in hotels, we work in offices, we are proud of them, but ownership has too often belonged to only a few. It does not have to be that way any longer,” he said.
Mr Rabuka said his government established the Capital Market Development Authority in 1996 because of a belief that Fijians should be able to own a stake in the growth of the economy and that belief remained relevant 30 years later, with Fijians able to see themselves not only as workers but also as part-owners of the economy.
“A Fiji built by Fijians, owned by Fijians, shared by Fijians.”
He said Warwick’s decision to open its capital base to Fijian investors demonstrated confidence in Fiji’s tourism sector, capital markets and people.
“Government will continue to work to streamline business approvals and remove unnecessary bottlenecks.”
