16 people to be employed in the newly renovated Ice Bar and Grill

16 Fijians will gain employment following the re-opening of the newly renovated Ice Bar and Grill at Martintar in Nadi after 21 months of closure.

The total investment is worth $80,000.

Managing Director Roneel Sami says they faced a lot of challenges when the bar was closed because it was their only source of income and they had families to support as well as bank repayments.

He says they used limited personal savings to invest and renovate the business when it was closed.

Sami adds they saw this as an opportunity to change the nature of the business because they wanted to accommodate families too.

While speaking at the launch, Minister for Commerce and Trade Faiyaz Koya says like every other business, the COVID-19 pandemic has called for remodeling and re-engineering the traditional way of doing business as a matter of survival.

He says it has taught us to acquire new skills, re-establish and most importantly adapt to new situations.

Koya says they know that certain businesses are proven to be riskier than the others during the pandemic and strict adherence to COVID Safe measures are crucial in this time.

The Minister adds it is adaptability compliance that will to a great extent determine their fate.

He says they must not try to cut corners or compromise practices to earn an extra buck.

Koya says while the last thing they would want to do is fine or shut businesses down, they will not hesitate to do so if the need arises.