Permanent Secretary, Commissioner Northern,
Representatives from the World Bank CEOs of respective organizations,
Esteemed representatives of Government Ministries, Members of the business community,
Community Champions and leaders, and Members of the Media

Bula Sia, Miau sa Bula Re, Cola Vina,

It is an absolute pleasure to be here in Labasa this morning.

Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land,
• Caumatalevu, Vua na Turaga na Tui Macuata, Na Taukei Bolatagane.
Waisavulu, Vua na Turaga na Tui Labasa

We offer our blessings upon them and may their wisdom and guidance continue to inspire and enrich our lives.

Today, we are here not just to launch a new initiative; we are unlocking opportunities, empowering communities, and shaping the future of tourism and enterprise in Vanua Levu.

Ladies and Gentlemen
Since the Program was launched by the Hon. Prime Minister just over a year ago - on 20th September 2024 - this is the first time I'm having a chance to address the people of Vanua Levu so please permit me to take this opportunity to remind you what the Na Vualiku Programme is all about.

The Fiji Tourism Development Programme for Vanua Levu (or, as we call it, the Na Vualiku Programme) represents far more than a series of projects. It is a promise to the people of Vanua Levu and Taveuni that the future of tourism here will be strong, inclusive, and rooted in the spirit of our communities.

The Program is what is called a Multi-Phased Approach which will be implemented in 3 phases over a 10-year period and is backed by a US $200 million investment from the World Bank.

This is a sure sign of the Government's solid commitment to developing and maximising the potential of the tourism industry in Vanua Levu.

Ladies and Gentlemen
What we are doing in Phase One, which runs from 2024 to 2029, is to lay the foundation for sustainable tourism by addressing barriers such as insufficient or inadequate infrastructure, limited essential services, and weak institutional coordination.

It includes airport and road improvements and basic services, support for tourism MSMEs, access to finance for community-based tourism operators, capacity building and institutional strengthening.

So in Phase Two, we will promote medium-scale investments based on the feasibility studies carried out and plans developed under Phase I, and also focus on destination marketing to bring the North to the attention of the world.

As it currently stands, although only about 4 percent of all international visitors to Fiji come to the North, compared to the two-thirds of visitor nights concentrated in the Western Division, the fact is that the North attracts the highest-spending visitors - those engaged in diving, yachting, and nature-based tourism.

Their average expenditure is between 70 and 200 percent higher than the national visitor average according to a Tourism Market Demand Assessment completed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Finally, in Phase Three, we will aim to consolidate progress through large-scale investments, policy reforms and sustainable financing, delivering long-term outcomes such as improved connectivity, increased tourism revenue and employment, and comprehensive benefits to local communities in Vanua Levu and Taveuni.

Ladies and Gentlemen
I am happy to report that since the Programme was launched in September last year, we have established a Central Project Management Unit at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, which is now fully staffed, resourced and operational.

Airport Fiji and the Fiji Roads Authority, which are also implementing agencies under this Programme, have also set up their own Project Implementation Units to oversee their respective components of the Programme.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow me to highlight some of what has been achieved in the roughly 14 months since the Program was launched:
A Design and Supervision contract was awarded by FRA in May 2025 to prepare the upgrades to be carried out on the Labasa-Savusavu cross-island link road.

The planned improvements are intended to enhance road safety, resilience, and the overall visitor experience through the design of scenic lookouts, rest stops and navigational signage, including the approach road to the Waisali Rainforest Reserve.

This design phase is expected to take approximately 11 months, after which FRA will be moving swiftly to put out a tender for the actual works to be carried out. I really want to emphasize the road safety aspect of this component: there are simply too many unnecessary accidents and road fatalities on the Labasa-Savusavu road and as a result of this Program we hope to reduce - if not entirely eliminate - these accidents and fatalities.

Airports Fiji also awarded a Design and Supervision contract for upgrades to both the Labasa and Savusavu airports. Some of you would be aware of the recent announcement by Airports Fiji of the imminent closure of the Labasa Airport for 4-6 weeks between February and March 2026 to carry out urgent runway repairs. This upgrade is a key safety initiative that will protect passengers and airline crew and ensure safe and reliable aircraft operations across the Northern Division.

Other activities under the Na Vualiku Program include upgrades to the infrastructure at both airports, the installation of a Remote Tower Aerodrome Flight Information System, and a feasibility study for a new airport for Vanua Levu.

At MTCA, we have recently awarded a contract to an international consulting firm working with local counterparts to develop an Integrated Tourism Master Plan (ITMP) for Vanua Levu.

The ITMP is a long-term strategic framework that will guide how tourism in Vanua Levu and Taveuni grows in a sustainable, inclusive and resilient manner over the next 25 years.

It aims to translate the Government of Fiji's tourism diversification ambitions into a clear spatial planning and investment roadmap that protects natural, cultural and social assets while expanding high-quality tourism opportunities. In short, it will guide future investments and inform the design of Phases II and III.
Ladies and Gentlemen, there are other important initiatives at various stages of implementation under the Na Vualiku Program in areas such as solid waste and wastewater management, solar energy and improving the cityscape of the towns of Labasa and Savusavu.

But at the heart of the program is designed to place our communities - that is all of you seated here today - at the centre of tourism growth, ensuring that new roads, better airports, and upgraded services translate into real livelihoods, stronger culture, and shared prosperity.

Ladies and Gentlemen
Tourism succeeds when small operators succeed. It thrives when community groups can welcome visitors to authentic experiences and when women-led enterprises can grow with dignity and confidence.

Small businesses are the heartbeat of our economy. They create jobs close to home, protect the story of the Vanua, and unlock talent that too often goes unseen. When small businesses thrive, communities flourish - and when communities flourish, the economy grows.

The Na Vualiku Project is pleased to be launching today our Grant and Capacity-Building Programme for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (including Women's Cultural Enterprises) and Community-based Tourism Enterprises.

With a budget of US $3.2 million, this Program is designed to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises, community-based organizations, and women-led cultural businesses to thrive in Fiji's tourism economy.

Ladies and Gentlemen
This is more than just funding-it's about inclusive growth, ensuring that tourism benefits trickle down to the communities.

Following extensive community consultations in Savusavu, Labasa, Taveuni and coastal districts have helped us shape the Programme to meet local needs and opportunities.

The CBT Grant program is a dedicated grant window to support selected community-owned tourism ventures in the improvement of infrastructure and visitor facilities such as walkways, eco-trails, cultural centres, signage, and other small-scale investments that enhance the visitor experience and strengthen local livelihoods.

In this initial phase, it will be managed by focusing on a pilot set of beneficiaries before scaling up based on the evaluation and the insightful learnings of the pilot phase.

The MSME and Women's Cultural Enterprises Capacity-Building Programme is a technical-assistance and training initiative focused on strengthening business operations, marketing, digital skills, and financial literacy to help small operators reach higher commercial standards.

We are now moving from the design to the application phase. Communities and MSMEs are invited to submit their Expressions of Interest. Applications will be assessed against published criteria, and successful projects will be supported through grants, training, and advisory services.

You can collect the application forms from the team after the event. Application forms will also be made available at the respective Na Vualiku Office in Savusavu, Provincial Administrators and Provincial Council office in Macuata, Bua and Cakaudrove.

For Taveuni, the application forms will be available at the District Office Taveuni and Assistant Roko Tui's office.

Application forms are also available online on the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation website.

Please take note that the applications close on 13 February 2026. So you have approximately two months to pick up your application, fill it in and submit the applications.

I am also pleased to inform you that we will increase our staffing resources at our Savusavu office and will be available to assist any CBTs or MSMEs that need help with their applications. Members of the CPMU team will also be visiting communities to promote this Program.

I also call upon the cruise ship tour operators, hoteliers and the wider tourism sector to continue to support and closely work with our CBTs, MSMEs and Women's Enterprises. They are an integral part of supply chain and visitor experiences and, therefore, establishing partnerships with the communities is not only necessary, but extremely beneficial to all.

Ladies and Gentlemen
This is your opportunity - this is your time.

I encourage you to grasp this opportunity and apply for our programmes, participate, and let's build a future where every community shares in the success of tourism.

Ladies and Gentlemen, with great pride and optimism, I officially launch the Na Vualiku Grant and Capacity-Building Programme for MSMEs and Community-Based Tourism Enterprises.

Let us move forward together - stronger, smarter, and united for Vanua Levu's future.

Vinaka vakalevu.