The Fiji Australia Business Council has welcomed the softening of travel sanctions on members of the Fiji government and military by Australia and New Zealand.

President Greg Pawson says while its overdue – the interference is more balanced and targeted that the initial travel bans that were put in place.

A meeting of foreign minister of Fiji, NZ and Australia saw the decision to relax the travel sanctions and they would look into it on a case-by-case basis.

Pawson told Radio Australia – now – more people in state-owned enterprises will be available for board appointments.

Businesses that are owned by the government that are making decision about the future of the country and many people that would have otherwise put their hand up to be on the boards of those state-owned enterprises have been discouraged to do so – because of the travel sanctions applied by Australia and NZ.

He adds – before – they usually go through an onerous process of obtaining visas for Fiji participants and public servants to were invited to their business forums.

Pawson hopes – they will not be dealing with the same issue – this time around.