Investment reforms and policies initiated by Government continues to create employment opportunities for Fijians.
For the past five years, Government has implemented major reforms to regulate employment relations and establish an institutional framework to assist the unemployed find gainful employment.
Statistics from the Reserve Bank of Fiji indicate that Fiji’s GDP has grown consecutively for the past four years and we will experience another growth gain this year. The central bank has forecasted a 3.8 per cent GDP growth for 2014 signaling a strong economic progress for Fiji.
Fiji’s investment promotional body, Investment Fiji said that the value of foreign investment proposals and projects implemented has generally increased over the years. Since 2009 until August 2013, the number of foreign investment projects implemented in the country stands at 583 projects with a value of F$2923.4million invested in the country. These investments alone have created 11, 742 jobs in the country.
The Bainimarama Government recognizes that in order to create more income and employment opportunities for its people, it must continue to play a facilitative role by enticing the private sector to drive investments in the country.
The establishment of the National Employment Centre in 2010 has also diversified its role to ensure that unemployed Fijians can have access to empowerment training. The NEC has also partnered with various private sector organisations to provide employment for Fijians. Since its establishment, a significant number of young Fijians have registered with NEC to upgrade skills with more than 53 per cent of these being women.
The Northern Development project has had an impact on micro and small enterprise development and livelihood improvement. It continues to engage with Fijians living in rural and maritime communities to establish income generating projects. This includes farmers living in rural communities.
A range of programs is provided under the Ministry of Youth, Women, Agriculture and other government agencies, all designed to assist people gain employment, start their own enterprises or improve their livelihoods through some form of income generation activities.
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