Salutation
- Nai Taukei Nawaivituri na Momo na Tui Ba
- Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament
- Management and Directors of the Racecourse Hotels and Apartments Project,
- Chairs and Special Administrators for Various Municipal Councils
- Invited Guests, and
- Ladies and Gentlemen.
Ni Sa Bula Vina’a and a very good morning to you all.
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we stand today, ki Nawaivituri na Momo na Tui Ba and I pay my respects to their Chiefs, past, present and emerging leaders and I acknowledge their enduring role within the Vanua, We are grateful for their custodianship, which allows us to convene for this important occasion.
Introduction
- It is a privilege to join you in Ba this morning to officiate at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Racecourse Hotels and Apartments Project.
- Today’s event marks far more than the commencement of a construction undertaking. It reflects growing investor confidence in Fiji’s economic prospects, demonstrates the continued vitality of the Western Division, and highlights the opportunities that remain available despite ongoing global economic uncertainties.
- Ladies and Gentlemen, Fiji is entering a new phase of economic transformation. Our national ambition is clear—to accelerate sustainable economic growth, increase productivity, attract greater investment, create quality employment and achieve high-income status by 2050. Achieving this ambition requires confidence, collaboration and continued investment by the private sector.
- Every responsible investment strengthens our economy, expands opportunities for our people and brings us closer to our national aspiration of sustaining annual economic growth of around six percent.
Ba’s Contribution to National Development
- Ladies and gentlemen, Ba has long been an important contributor to Fiji’s national development. It is a province renowned for its industrious people, strong agricultural foundations, thriving commercial sector, sporting achievements, and generations of distinguished leaders who have served our nation with honour.
- Ba’s entrepreneurial spirit is perhaps best exemplified by the late Vinod Patel. Beginning with a single hardware store established in Ba in 1962, he built one of Fiji’s largest and most respected business enterprises. His success story reflects the vision, determination and resilience that have become synonymous with this province.
- Today’s project is another example of that enduring legacy. It reflects continued confidence in the potential of Ba and demonstrates how investment in this province contributes to the wider progress and prosperity of our nation.
Alignment Sustainable Development Goals
- Ladies and gentlemen, as we gather for this groundbreaking ceremony, it is important to recognise that this initiative represents more than a new commercial development. It aligns with Fiji’s long-term vision of building sustainable, resilient and inclusive urban communities.
- This vision is reinforced through our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11, which promotes sustainable cities and communities. We aspire to create urban centres where businesses prosper, residents enjoy a high quality of life, and development is undertaken responsibly for the benefit of present and future generations.
- As Fiji’s towns continue to grow, so too does the need for quality housing, reliable infrastructure, modern public services and greater investment. These are the foundations of vibrant communities and a strong economy. Managing urban growth is therefore not simply about constructing new buildings, it is about creating places where people have better opportunities to live, work, invest and raise their families.
Alignment to National Development Plan
- Ladies and gentlemen, approximately 58 percent of Fiji’s population lives in urban areas, and that number continues to grow. As more people choose to live, work and invest in our towns and cities, the demand for quality accommodation, reliable infrastructure, modern public services and well-planned communities continues to increase.
- Developments such as the Racecourse Hotels and Apartments Project play a critical role in addressing these needs. They support orderly urban growth, stimulate economic activity and create opportunities for local communities.
- This investment is fully aligned with Fiji’s National Development Plan 2025–2029 and Vision 2050, both of which identify private sector-led growth as the principal driver of sustainable economic development. The Government’s objective is to progressively lift Fiji’s long-term growth trajectory to around six percent annually through increased investment, higher productivity, economic diversification, innovation and improved infrastructure.
- Government alone cannot achieve this ambition. Sustainable growth depends on strong partnerships with investors, businesses, landowners, financial institutions and local communities. Our role is to create an enabling environment that encourages investment, supports enterprise and provides certainty for businesses to invest with confidence.
- Through ongoing policy reforms, investment facilitation measures and strengthened governance, Government remains committed to ensuring Fiji remains an attractive destination for domestic and foreign investment. Developments such as the Racecourse Hotels and Apartments Project demonstrate the confidence that investors continue to have in Fiji’s future and our collective ability to deliver inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Government’s Commitment to Investment
- Ladies and Gentlemen, Government recognises that private enterprise is the engine of economic growth, employment creation and innovation. Our responsibility is to establish an enabling business environment that rewards investment, encourages entrepreneurship and supports long-term business confidence.
- This is why Government continues to implement investment-friendly policies and incentives, including tax concessions for priority investments, incentives for hotel and tourism developments, support for developments in designated tax-free regions, investment facilitation reforms, infrastructure improvements and streamlined approval processes.
- These initiatives are designed to reduce the cost of doing business, stimulate regional development, encourage new industries and unlock greater private sector participation across the country.
- We encourage investors—both local and international—to take advantage of these opportunities and partner with Government in building a stronger and more resilient economy.
The Racecourse Hotels and Apartments Project
- Ladies and gentlemen, today’s ceremony is a celebration of partnership, investment and progress. By commencing work on this $25 million development, we are laying the groundwork for new economic opportunities and long-term growth in Ba and throughout the Western Division.
- Ba has evolved from its strong agricultural origins into one of the Western Division’s key commercial centres. As the town continues to grow, so too does the need for infrastructure and services that can support its evolving role in Fiji’s economy.
- One area of increasing demand has been quality accommodation. Whether for business travellers, tourists, sporting teams or visiting families, modern hospitality facilities are essential for a growing regional hub.
- Ba has long been recognised as one of Fiji’s most vibrant commercial and agricultural centres. With continued investment in modern infrastructure, hospitality, housing and commercial services, Ba is well positioned to become an increasingly important regional growth hub for the Western Division. Government welcomes investments that complement the town’s economic strengths while improving its attractiveness for business, tourism and future investment.
Contribution of the Project to the Economy
- Ladies and Gentlemen, the Racecourse Hotels and Apartments Project is much more than a $25 million construction investment. It is an investment in Fiji’s economic future.
- During construction, the project will generate significant employment opportunities for engineers, architects, tradespeople, contractors, transport operators and suppliers, while creating additional demand for locally produced goods and services throughout the value chain.
- Once operational, the development will provide long-term employment across the hospitality, tourism, accommodation, maintenance, security and property management sectors. These are sustainable jobs that strengthen household incomes, build skills and create new opportunities for young Fijians entering the workforce.
- The project will also stimulate wider economic activity throughout Ba by increasing visitor expenditure, supporting local retailers, restaurants, transport providers, farmers, artisans and small and medium-sized enterprises. The multiplier effects of investments such as this extend well beyond the project itself and contribute to stronger regional economic growth.
- As Fiji continues to pursue its ambition of achieving sustained annual economic growth of around six percent, every productive investment matters. Projects of this nature expand the productive capacity of our economy, strengthen the tourism and services sectors, increase business confidence and contribute directly to national Gross Domestic Product.
- Equally important, they reinforce investor confidence in Fiji as a stable and competitive destination for investment. Confidence attracts further investment; investment creates employment; employment improves livelihoods; and stronger livelihoods build more resilient communities. This virtuous cycle underpins our long-term economic transformation.
Conclusion
- Ladies and Gentlemen, today’s groundbreaking represents much more than the beginning of a construction project. It reflects confidence in Fiji’s future, confidence in our economy and confidence in the people of Ba.
- It demonstrates what can be achieved when Government, investors, landowners, financial institutions and communities work together with a shared vision for development.
- The Government remains firmly committed to creating an enabling environment that encourages investment, rewards innovation and supports enterprise. We will continue to strengthen policies, improve infrastructure, facilitate responsible investment and promote greater private sector participation across all sectors of the economy.
- I encourage other investors, both local and international, to look beyond our major urban centres and recognise the significant opportunities that exist throughout Fiji’s towns and provinces. Regional investments such as this contribute to more balanced national development while creating employment and prosperity closer to our communities.
- Together, we can realise our Vision 2050, achieve our ambition of sustained economic growth of around six percent, create better jobs for our people and build a stronger, more resilient and more prosperous Fiji for future generations.
- It now gives me great pleasure to officially declare the commencement of the Racecourse Hotels and Apartments Project.
- Vinaka Vakalevu. May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless our beloved Fiji.
[END]
