3 Feb 2005

Fiji investment company defends assessment which says Labour could win next year's poll

7:39 pm on 3 February 2005

The Fiji-based investment company Kontiki Capital says its report which has attracted criticism from both major parties has been taken out of context.

A section of the report intended for foreign investors in the Kontiki Fund provides advice on the positives and negatives of the possible return to government of the Mahendra Chaudhry-led Labour Party.

The report says the SDL government could lose power to a resurgent Labour Party.

It also says there is concern that extremist nationalists will cause unrest if an Indo-Fijian becomes prime minister.

While the Labour Party has questioned the legitimacy of the report, the SDL government has condemned it for ignoring its record in restoring social and economic stability.

But Jack Lowenstein, one of the authors of the report, says it is basically saying Fiji is doing well and is a good place to invest, no matter which party wins the 2006 election.

"We're very impressed with the institutional strength we are seeing at pretty every level in Fiji. It is one of the most positive things that we have seen in the last 3 or 4 years, and the police force is typical of that. Morale appears to have improved. The leadership is giving a very strong guide to the rank and file, so we are very heightened by what we see, overall."

Jack Lowenstein.