Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama says he has spoken to Fijians who have lost their jobs and had their working hours cut because of the COVID-19 pandemic and these hardworking people do not want to settle for handouts but want the dignity of a job.
While speaking at the opening of The Merch store in Walu Bay this morning, Bainimarama says creating jobs is what their latest budget is all about and that is their guiding philosophy for the coming months.
He says they are doing this through cutting taxes, incentivising spending and spurring new construction.
Bainimarama says they are supporting Fijian businesses to create and sustain employment.
He says they have completely got away with the archaic process of obtaining a business license and this is good news for the next generation of Fijian entrepreneurs.
Bainimarama acknowledged the hard work of the owner of The Merch, Watisoni Nata Jnr who forfeited the comfortable salary in the Judiciary and opened up a business which created jobs.
Watisoni Nata Jnr says talks about opening this shop started over a bottle of whiskey with his friends in 2016.
Nata Jnr says he imported the first container of items in September, 2018 not knowing where to store it once it arrived.
He says The Merch started with the aim to provide affordable, quality second-hand goods to all Fijians.
The Merch is selling household items which includes electrical items and furniture.
They have also partnered with Fiji Chemicals and are now selling hand sanitizers and cleaning equipment.
Today also marked The Merch’s second year since it was established back in 2018.
