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Issue No: 832; 8 June 2001
Regime's Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase has hit out at the business community which has been the beneficiary of millions of dollars of state financial assistance through concessions and tax breaks. The attack, however, came in the Fijian vernacular language radio program over the weekend. Qarase stated that the businessmen of other ethnic groups, but particularly ethnic Indians, were beneficiaries of such funds while ethnic Fijians were deprived of such assistance. Qarase himself has been a major player in channelling such assistance to ethnic Indian businessmen. As Manager of the Fiji Development Bank, Qarase channelled millions of dollars of bank funds to these businessmen. Many transactions were less than transparent. Qarase has maintained a very close relationship with these businessmen, many of who not only allegedly financed the terrorists but who also are financial backers of Qarase's new party. In office as the regime's Prime Minister, Qarase has overturned the People's Coalition Government's policies to introduce a fairer tax system. In place, Qarase has put back in place the concession regime which benefits a small group of monopolistic businesses controlled by ethnic Indians. The regime has now let the big businesses continue with tax evasion while vigilantly targets small businesses. The business community and its representatives, the Chambers of Commerce's and the Retail Associations have not responded to Qarase's claims. |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
