back to news archives for 18-31 August, 2000

PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT
Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
---------------------------

EXPATRIATE WORK PERMITS EASIER FOR FIJI INVESTORS

SUVA, Fiji Islands (August 30, 2000 - Fiji's Daily Post/The Fiji Times/The Fiji Sun/PINA Nius Online)---Fiji's new interim government is establishing guidelines to make it easier for investors to bring in expatriates to help start and manage their businesses, Fiji's Daily Post reported.

Information Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola yesterday said Cabinet has approved recommendations put forward by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, the Daily Post reported.

These were reached after consultation between the ministries and the Fiji Trade and Investment Bureau and the Fiji
Employers' Federation.

Ratu Inoke said they are part of a package of measures that the interim government is considering to increase
investment in the country following the crisis caused by the May 19 takeover of Parliament by armed rebels.

The planned new guidelines include:

• the "key posts" usually reserved for the investor's choice are not required to be advertised locally;
  
• the "time posts" or specialist positions are not required to be advertised when an investor is establishing his
  or her business but they must be advertised before the work permit renewal can be considered;
  
• the minimum foreign investment for the investor to qualify for a "key post" work permit is F$ 50,000 (US$
  23,350).
  

In other measures to streamline immigration procedures:
Central Queensland University Suva campus students will be exempted from the requirement to lodge a
bond with the immigration department;
religious organizations that do community work can also be exempted from the bond requirements.

In other developments in Fiji:

• The Fiji Times reported a joint army, police and navy operation has arrested 17 rebels who forcibly took
  over the luxury Turtle Island Resort in the Yasawa islands in July during the height of the crisis;
  
• The Fiji Times reported the police force is split over allegiance to Commissioner Isikia Savua. The report
  came as an inquiry into Mr. Savua's alleged activities and movements before and after May 19 began in
  Suva, chaired by Chief Justice Sir Timoci Tuivaga.
  
• The Fiji Sun reported members of the deposed People's Coalition Government are taking out a court
  injunction to stop them from being moved out of the government homes they still occupy.
  
• The Great Council of Chiefs began meeting in Suva to consider the review of the 1997 constitution.
  
  BACK TO FIJI COUP MAIN PAGE

BACK TO LOOKING GLASS DESIGN

This site is best viewed using Netscape 4.0 or higher.
Any problems or kind suggestions, please email: webmaster@lookinglassdesign.com

last revision 09/02/2000