The $25 million Racecourse Hotels and Apartments Project is expected to create new opportunities in Ba while helping retain local talent and strengthening the town's growing reputation as a sporting hub.
Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony, Project manager for developers 4R Electric Group Rynal Kumar says the main objectives for the project are to retain people in Ba and support the town's growth as a major sporting destination.
Kumar says over the past few decades, many of Ba's talented people have left for other districts and the hope is that more people will choose to stay, build their futures and continue contributing to the growth of Ba.
He says the project will also build on Ba's reputation as Fiji's sporting capital.
Kumar says the Racecourse Hotels and Apartments Project will complement the town's sporting facilities by providing accommodation for teams, officials and supporters.
The development will include a 70-room hotel, 14 two-bedroom apartments, nine three-bedroom apartments, four dormitories for sports teams, a lagoon-style swimming pool, gym facilities, futsal, basketball and tennis courts, mini golf and children's recreational facilities.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the development reflects growing investor confidence in Fiji and the continued economic potential of the Western Division.
Rabuka says the ground breaking marks far more than the commencement of another construction project; it reflects growing investor confidence in Fiji and in our economic prospects.
He says the project aligns with the Government's long-term vision of driving economic growth through private sector investment.
Rabuka says the Government alone cannot achieve that ambition as sustainable growth depends on strong partnerships between investors, businesses, landowners, financial institutions and local communities.
The Prime Minister says the Government remains committed to creating an environment that gives investors confidence.
He says their role is to create an enabling environment that encourages investment, supports enterprise and provides certainty for businesses to invest with confidence.
Rabuka says the Racecourse Hotels and Apartments Project will contribute to Ba's continued growth as one of Fiji's key commercial centres.
The Prime Minisrer adds with continued investment in modern infrastructure, hospitality, housing and commercial services, Ba is well positioned to become an even more important regional growth hub for the Western Division.