Landowners in Viseisei Village have successfully secured a multimillion-dollar agreement for the construction of a shopping mall and warehouse in Lautoka. Aisake Taito, CEO of the iTaukei Lands Trust Board, announced this development during a talanoa session with the Vuda district landowners.
Taito disclosed that a letter of intent was given to the Sawaieke landowning unit and an official agreement signed between the landowners and the investors. He highlighted the collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, asserting that construction will commence immediately following the signing of the agreement. The new shopping mall will include a warehouse equipped with a cooler for storing goods intended for nearby hotels, and plans are in place for an accompanying hotel and cultural center.
The facility is set to be built on 22 acres of native land, designed to occupy three stories and completed in three phases over a span of three years. Taito noted that this project is unprecedented in size and scale for the region.
This initiative aligns with broader efforts in Fiji to enhance business engagement among the iTaukei communities, which historically have had limited representation in local entrepreneurship. Similar endeavors, such as the strategic development plans launched recently in the Vuda area, are also aimed at empowering landowners financially and promoting collective growth within the community.
As seen from other developments in Fiji, such as newly designated commercial spaces in Savusavu, these initiatives have the potential to stimulate local economies by creating jobs and supporting local businesses, fostering a brighter economic future for the region. The hopeful outlook reflects a commitment to inclusive growth, with local stakeholders now more engaged in the management and opportunities afforded by their land.
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