The iTaukei Land Trust Board has expressed concerns regarding some investors who come with unfulfilled promises, described as “big mouths and no money.” CEO Solomoni Nata raised this issue while questioning the vetting process used by Investment Fiji during a consultation for the TLTB Land Use Master Plan in Suva.
Nata indicated that a significant challenge for the board is that nearly 30 percent of leases are not utilized productively, with the tourism sector showing even greater issues in this regard. He emphasized that many tourist operators join the industry without sufficient financial backing.
According to Nata, investors who secure approval from Investment Fiji receive a certificate allowing them to lease native land in Fiji. He urged that potential investors should come with genuine intentions and adequate funding rather than relying on government resources or existing community funds to advance their projects. “We need people who can invest the money they bring,” he stated.
Nata rebutted claims from Investment Fiji regarding the uncertainty surrounding land tenure in the country, asserting that native land significantly contributes to the economy. He cited developments like Denarau and the real estate sector, which heavily depend on native land, highlighting that concerns about land tenure are misplaced given its importance in bolstering the national economy.
Lisala Dyer, head of Regional and Trade Development at Investment Fiji, mentioned that the agency stopped issuing Foreign Investment Registration Certificates as of July 31, 2024, transferring this responsibility to investment promotion agencies. He noted a shift in focus towards attracting quality investments rather than merely increasing the quantity of investments entering the country.