FIJI’S private sector has called for greater investment in mining and clearer accountability on excise tax revenue.
Around 50 business leaders gathered this week for the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation’s (FCEF) Combined Council Meeting.
Representatives from seven councils, including the Mining and Quarry Council, Business Strategy, and Women Entrepreneurs and Business Council, discussed advocacy priorities for the coming financial year.
Mining emerged as a key focus, with Lion One Ltd Mine Manager Sakiua Waqanisau noting the sector’s resilience during COVID-19 — expanding from 58 to over 300 employees while other industries stalled.
He argued that mining’s GDP contribution, currently recorded at less than two per cent, failed to capture the $FJD10 million monthly capital spending by major operators.
“Fiji should consider greater investment in the development of the mining sector,” Waqanisau said.
Meanwhile, Business Strategy Council Chair Viraaj Lad challenged the government to prove the effectiveness of the excise tax on sugar, introduced to combat non-communicable diseases.
“There is a need to clearly demonstrate the impact of the funds collected to date,” Lad said, asking whether revenue was being directed into preventative education and whether the Food and School Canteen policy was being monitored.
FCEF President Eldon Eastgate said the meeting encouraged cross-council collaboration on shared challenges, including skills shortages, ease of doing business, and rising operational costs.
CEO Edward Bernard confirmed confidence in FCEF’s membership growth and highlighted recent digital upgrades, including the Members Hub platform.
The federation urged business professionals to join its councils to help shape policy dialogue and private-sector leadership across Fiji.
