23 Jan 2008

Fiji businessman meets with the interim prime minister

11:30 am on 23 January 2008

Fiji business tycoon, Hari Punja, has met with interim prime minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama following the spat with the interim Finance Minister in the media over changes in tariff rates.

Mr Punja told the Fijilive website that he had held back his business plans in Fiji as a result of the interim Government's "continuous changes in the rules of the game".

He said that a $19 million us dollar project which included a brewery, a chocolate manufacturing plant, expansion to an existing chip plant and biscuit line has been put on hold due to a lack of business confidence in Fiji.

Mr Punja said Mr Chaudhry had ignored his numerous attempts to speak with him over the matter.

Mr Chaudhry reportedly denies Hari Punjas' claim, adding that he will not allow special favours to any business.