Attorney General and Finance Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said full details will be released on the amendment to the Land Sales Act after the parliamentary sitting.
Sayed-Khaiyum made this comment at a recent Post Budget session organized by the Fiji Chamber of Commerce where questions were raised on whether freehold land in Pacific Harbour will be allowed to be sold to non-residents.
He said this is yet to be finalized.
Meanwhile the government will soon go through the parliamentary process to amend the Land Sales Act which will ensure that no non‑resident may acquire any interest in any state or freehold land for residential purpose.
The major initiative was announced in the 2015 National Budget to ensure that non Fiji residents can only lease i-Taukei land for residential purposes or only purchase strata title properties.
A strata title is a form of ownership devised for multilevel apartment blocks.
When the bill to amend the Land Sales Act is passed in parliament, non-residents will no longer be able to buy freehold land or lease state land for residential purposes.
Instead they can only lease i‑taukei land which will increase the value of i‑taukei land.
The bill states that non‑residents can acquire an interest in any state or freehold land for industrial or commercial purposes, tourism development purposes or such purposes as the Minister responsible for Finance deems necessary.
Any non-resident who contravenes the law shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 and any land or property acquired under the section shall upon an order from the court, be forfeited to the state.
Parliamentary debate on the bill to amend the Land Sales Act is expected soon.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations