Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa, called on the Fijian government to prioritize local businesses over foreign investors by ceasing tax incentives and allowing foreign-owned enterprises to secure loans from local banks. During the opening of the new Great Council of Chiefs complex, she urged traditional leaders to utilize their provincial resources to stimulate economic growth that would directly benefit indigenous communities.
Ro Teimumu highlighted the disparities faced by local businesses, emphasizing the need for government support to create a level playing field. She noted that foreign companies often repatriate substantial profits, leaving local ventures at a disadvantage. “Let them bring in their own money,” she asserted, advocating that domestic financial resources should be reserved for domestic investors.
Additionally, she stressed the importance of self-reliance, calling for chiefs to take an active role in fostering economic empowerment and for communities to rely less on government aid. “We cannot just sit and wait. We must move, we must act, and we must lead,” she said, emphasizing the need for educated and proactive chiefs who are committed to steering their people toward economic independence.
This sentiment resonates with ongoing discussions within Fiji’s leadership about economic empowerment and the revitalization of traditional industries that have faced challenges over the years. The recent push from the Great Council of Chiefs, including initiatives to optimize resource utilization and combat pressing social issues, speaks to a coordinated effort aimed at uplifting communities.
Ro Teimumu’s call to action encapsulates the growing movement toward self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship among the iTaukei people, providing a hopeful perspective on the future of local economic development. Through these initiatives, traditional leaders and local communities can pave the way toward a more equitable and prosperous Fiji.
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