Supported by financial assistance from the World Bank, the Coalition Government is making investments aimed at the future of the residents of Vanua Levu. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka shared these thoughts during the official launch of the “Na Vualiku Program” at the Wasawasa Lodge in Savusavu last night.
The event was attended by World Bank Fiji Country Manager Stephano Mocci, along with various Cabinet Ministers including Viliame Gavoka, the Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sakiasi Ditoka, the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, Maciu Katamotu, the Minister for Local Government, Agni Deo Singh, the Minister for Employment Productivity and Industrial Relations, and Ifereimi Vasu, the Minister for iTaukei Affairs.
The Prime Minister praised the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation for their role in launching this transformative initiative. He noted that in the last 18 to 20 months, over ten companies have begun investing in projects in Vanua Levu, as highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad.
He emphasized that the World Bank is dedicating $400 million over the next ten years to foster economic growth in the Northern Division. This reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to establish an investor-friendly environment through the development of transparent and consultative policies, which encompass infrastructure improvements and other supportive measures aimed at significantly enhancing the economy of Vanua Levu.
The Government is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to elevate the economy, uplift its citizens, and secure a better future. Rabuka pointed out that currently, half of Fiji’s population resides in urban areas, and rural-urban migration is a widespread global phenomenon.
He emphasized the importance of government efforts to improve the lives of its citizens, highlighting that Fiji has a youthful demographic, with more than half of the population under 30 years old. In the Northern Division, 63% of the populace is within the productive age range of 15 to 64, presenting a significant opportunity to leverage the region’s natural resources and workforce for growth and development.