Fiji Chamber of Commerce makes several recommendations during Budget Consultations

The Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry has made several recommendations during the 2017-2018 Budget Consultations hoping that it would be addressed in the National Budget announcement tomorrow.

President of the Fiji Chamber of Commerce Peter Mazey says they have recommended that Investment Fiji needs to be strengthened to effectively accommodate local investment.

Mazey says this will provide an avenue for quick and accurate information sharing under certain Government initiatives and policies and faster approval processes for local businesses from relevant government agencies.

Mazey hopes that the processes need to be quicker to get approvals.

The Chamber of Commerce also recommends that the Environment Levy Tax is not on a level playing field and in some cases, unfairly applies to businesses which do not pollute the environment.

Mazey says the Environment Levy Tax should not be looked at as a luxury tax or tourist tax but as a genuine tax for high end environment polluting industries.

They have also proposed a separate ministry for the Small and Micro Enterprises to allow for job creation, innovation and technology set ups.

The 2017/2018 National Budget will be announced by the Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at 7.30pm tomorrow.