In The Fiji Times today – Tuesday, March 02, 2021

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Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem speaks during the press conference at the University of Fiji organized Higher Education for Future Roundtable Meeting in Lautoka. Picture: REINAL CHAND

Hello,

The main story in The Fiji Times edition of Tuesday, March 02, 2021 is the answer to Fiji’s economic recovery which according to University of Fiji acting vice-chancellor Shaista Shameem could lie in the untapped markets of medical marijuana and hemp.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion last week at the Lautoka university’s Saweni Campus, she said viable local industries like medical marijuana and hemp production could be the answer to the economic woes brought on by COVID-19.

Ms Shameem also said boosting local production of spices was another market worth developing.

In other news, here’s your briefing of what to expect in The Fiji Times today:

Supervisor of Elections from Fiji Elections Office,Mohammed Saneem explains about the new voter survey apps to the media during a press conference. Picture: RAMA/FILE

Special polling venue

A special polling venue will be set up in Suva for voters who are not registered to vote in the country and are not postal voters, says Supervisor of Elections (SOE) Mohanned Saneem.

FILE PHOTO: Leaves of a Carmagnola hemp strain plant at a medical cannabis plantation in Trikala, Greece, August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas/File Photo

Medical marijuana 

The production of medical marijuana and hemp could be the shot in the arm that Fiji needs to boost economic recovery.

Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum at the parliament complex during a break in the parliamentary sitting on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA/FILE

No plans to legalise marijuana – AG

The Government has no immediate plans to legalise the production of marijuana for medical purposes, says Attorney-General and Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

COVID-19: Addressing misinformation and hate speech 

The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the Fiji Council of Social Services yesterday launched its first activity aimed at addressing the increasing misinformation and hate speech surrounding COVID-19 in Fiji.

Pacific Eye Institute operations manager Kirti Prasad receives the sunglasses from National National Diabetes Centre foot care project manager Viliame Qio. Picture: SUPPLIED

COVID-19 positive patients stigmatised 

People testing positive with COVID-19 are stigmatised because of misinformation and lack of education about the virus, says Diabetes Fiji Inc. Project manager Viliame Qio.

Customers witing to be served at the FNPF building in Suva on Saturday, February 29, 2020. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU

FNPF borrowing 

All Governments have borrowed from the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF), not just the FijiFirst administration, says Attorney-General and Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

 

A taxi refuelling at a LPG gas station in Suva. Picture: File

Duty imposed on fuel

The 20 cents per litre extra duty imposed on fuel is severely hurting the peoples pocket and needs to be removed says National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad.

Rental investment property owners

Rental investment property owners who are facing issues due to COVID-19, need to make arrangements with their own banks.

Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum talks to the media during the parliament session break. Picture: RAMA

First time for Govt 

Economy Minister and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said this year would be the first time for the Government to borrow money to pay for operating expenditure.

Joshua Rahman (right) with his lawyer Sharoneel Deo outside the High Court in Suva today – Tuesday, February 16, 2020. Picture: VISHAAL KUMAR

Application to use Skype

The State has filed an application to use Skype for a witnesses from New Zealand in the matter involving Canadian national Joshua Aziz Rahman.

First Early Childcare Policy 

International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has collaborated with the Fijian government in the designing of the country’s first Early Childcare Policy which will benefit working families and businesses in Fiji.

 

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