28 Nov 2012

Business leader thinks local Fiji investorss will benefit from Budget incentives

2:42 pm on 28 November 2012

The President of the New Zealand-Fiji Business Council, Rick Reid, believes local, not just overseas, investors will be able to take advantage of development incentives announced in the Fiji regime's 2013 Budget.

The budget created a tax free area in the east of the main island, Viti Levu, for new agricultural ventures with a minimum investment of 600 thousand US dollars.

A 13 year tax free holiday is offered, that jumps to 20 years for those investing in the dairy industry.

Mr Reid is certain local investors will get involved.

"A lot of these villagers get together and combine their efforts, OK maybe with a bit of outside help, but I suggest that hopefully Fijian interests will be the number one"

Mr Reid says there are real opportunities for Fiji to develop its own dairy industry and cut back on imports.