The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has set aside $300,000 for the early phases of a masterplan aimed at developing tourism in Nasaulevu, Nadi, under the Nakovacake Development Trust initiative. This announcement was made by Cathy Marsh, the deputy director general of ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department.
Marsh emphasized the importance of tourism as a vital component of Fiji’s economy. She indicated that through this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the ADB will collaborate to create a masterplan for the sustainable development of Nasaulevu.
“This plan will embody our collective vision for Nasaulevu, positioning it as an environmentally sustainable and socially integrated development that will appeal to future generations of travelers for the next half century and beyond,” Marsh stated.
Furthermore, the ADB has approved funding to enlist Fiji’s leading experts, as well as global specialists, to assist in this development process. She mentioned that the organization is prepared to sign the MOU and initiate the work promptly, with hopes of starting before the year concludes.
“We have a budget allocation of up to $300,000 initially,” she added.