We can learn a lot from other countries - AG

Acting Prime Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum says that government’s approach is that we can learn a lot from other countries.

While opening a Market Center Complex, in Sigatoka yesterday afternoon, Sayed Khaiyum highlighted about Prime Minister’s visit to Japan and this weekend Voreqe Bainimarama will travel to Thailand.

He adds Bainimarama will have a number of discussions with the Thai government where they are also interested in working together with Fiji.

Sayed Khaiyum says the reason Fiji should have an open mind to learn from other countries is that it ultimately creates jobs and economic growth. He says there are many value adding that takes place in food processing in Thailand that we in Fiji do not do.

He says jackfruit has been grown in Fiji for years but no one has ever canned it. He adds shops in Singapore make soursop juice and give however we do not have that.

Sayed Khaiyum adds that only place in Fiji that sells sugarcane juice is at the airport. He asked why people don’t sell sugarcane juice on the roadside and in shops.

He says these are the kind of things the government is very much focused on.

Sayed Khaiyum says government has set aside 10 million dollars this year to help I-Taukei landowners to start their own development.

He further says that one million dollars have been set aside for those people selling their produce on the roadside to have better facilities.

He also says Sigatoka town is developing with few buildings being built which creates confident in others to construct more buildings.