Attitude of business owners and their staff needs to change - AG

Suva business owners and their staff need to change their attitude towards customers and their businesses according to the Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Sayed-Khaiyum says they need to change how they present themselves.

The Attorney General also reminded retailers to make the towns and cities more attractive as the condition of some buildings in Suva does not inspire confidence in the City.

Sayed-Khaiyum also says they have announced a number of incentives targeting local investors to provide the right type of environment to create confidence.

He says he is glad to go to the Ashabhai site in Nadi at the Votualevu sub-division where they are putting a large cold storage facility that will help in supply chain issues in that area.

Sayed-Khaiyum also says there are also companies involved in carrying out sub-divisions in Lautoka and he also spoke to some businesses on Tuesday that will invest about $40 million in certain projects.

The Minister of Economy says they have had policy announcements on no taxation on profits from subdivision of land and the proceeds from sales will not be taxed. He also says this fulfills the government’s objective where they want more Fijians to own homes.

Sayed-Khaiyum says some of the retailers may be in the retail business for the last 30 to 40 years but there are other great opportunities now. He says in this COVID environment, people have to look at it from perspective of the glass being half full as opposed to half empty.

He says many people also never dreamt that the government would get rid of stamp duties and business licences.

Sayed-Khaiyum says there is no doubt that the government also has to quickly improve some services in terms of processing and approvals, and some ministries are doing better than others.