A Fiji businessman in Rakiraki says it is a neglected town and hopes that new proposed resorts will provide more local jobs.
The Rakiraki provincial administration has confirmed that new multi-million dollar tourism projects, including Duadua Resort and Golden Point Resort have got the go-ahead, and could provide up to 1000 jobs for locals.
The owner of the Westpace Apparel garment store, Jithendra Kumar, says he is sceptical, as similar projects have been promised for years.
He says there are no major industries near Rakiraki and Tavua which could employ greater numbers of locals, but hopes the resort projects are successful.
"If you look at a place like Raki Raki and Tavua, it has been neglected for a long time and there is no sort of industries coming up here like cash flow, and people got wages every week and all that. So that is why our town is not growing up."
Jithendra Kumar says Rakiraki needs a Chamber of Commerce and more tax incentives for potential investors.
