Chair of Special Administrators for Lautoka and Ba Municipal Councils – Ms. Debra Sadranu,
CEO, Nadi Town Council – Mr. Craig Powell,
Our Market Vendors,
Invited Guests,
Members of the media,
Fellow Fijians,
Bula Vinaka and good afternoon to you all.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Whilst we traditionally relied on international visitors, COVID-19 has prompted emerging markets like Fiji to focus on developing domestic tourism to boost the economy. It’s during times like these, that we need to support our people by buying locally.
New and innovative concepts such as night markets are our way of demonstrating resilience towards the global pandemic, which has changed the landscape of doing business globally.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Reinforcing my call for businesses to lead us into a new-norm is supported by your Government. You would have heard the Fijian Government recently announced the COVID-19 Concessional Loan Packages to help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in Fiji. These packages are tailor made to support existing, majority Fijian-owned MSMEs severely impacted by the global COVID-19 economic fallout.
Ladies and gentleman
With Fiji being declared COVID-19 free, this is a turning point for our country to make the most of our inventiveness and conduct business domestically to ensure the wheels of our economy keep turning. We must stay positive and see this as an opportunity to re-engineer and introduce new ideas.
With the purpose of creating financial impetus for Nadi and assisting MSME businesses, our love our locals concept will enable locals to display their creativity, in the lead up to restoration of our Tourism industry, which is also heartbeat of Nadi and the Fijian economy.
Ladies and gentlemen
Your contribution and support, especially during this time, gives hope and reassurance to Fijians in the tourism industry, agricultural industry, food industry and other primary industries that Fiji will return to prosperity soon.
To our fellow Fijians gathered here today – you are eyewitnesses to the dedication and hard work of MSME businesses. Businesses with a purpose and passion of linking our Fijian culture to visitors and consumers.
I therefore would like to take this opportunity to invite the people of Nadi and nearby residents to enjoy our locally produced goods and services, and contribute towards keeping Fijians employed. We need to develop a national sense of pride and loyalty for Fijian Made initiatives.
Ladies and Gentleman,
Just last week, I launched Tourism Fiji’s “Love our Locals” campaign. I urge you to reflect on locations such as this new night market in conjunction with the campaign and get behind our nation’s initiatives. This is an appropriate time for us to support much needed economic activity inwardly. Remember, every dollar spent in our local markets acts as beacon of hope in keeping Fijian businesses and Fijians continuing on our road to recovery post COVID-19.
It is for that reason, important to keep our spirits high, be positive and work together during this difficult time. Today signifies the revival of businesses in Nadi, and the resourcefulness of Fijians involved in this sector.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you who have so generously helped make this campaign successful. This would not have been possible without you.
Please also remember, even though we are COVID free we need to maintain physical distancing and maintain our COVID free status, as a solution to COVID-19 has not been discovered, it is for you all to remember that there will be a new norm around the World, so make washing your hands and physical distancing a part of your new norm.
With those few words, I encourage you all, to enjoy the evening and encourage Fijians to “go local” and love our locals as much as possible.
Vinaka Vakalevu.