The government has clarified that non-residents will be able to purchase freehold and crown land for tourism development or commercial purposes only.

Acting Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has clarified that they want to save ownership of freehold land and it should be restricted to locals.

‘’There was a bill that was presented to the parliament and there will be some amendments to that bill in respect of fine tuning it. We are seeking an expedited process in terms of having a vote on those bills following the appropriation bill being passed by parliament’’.

Ninety one percent land in Fiji are owned by I taukei and Sayed-Khaiyum says I taukei leases are just as secure as crown leases.

Sayed-Khaiyum adds landowners need to get returns on their investments and land as well.

Sayed-Khaiyum made the comments at a post budget forum
organised by the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Suva Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Fiji Australian Business Council in Suva last night.