FIJI’S Ministry of Land and Mineral Resources needs to strengthen background checks on foreign investors, says SODELPA MP Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.
Ratu Naiqama made this comment yesterday as the ministry responded to questions from members of the Public Accounts Committee.
However, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Malakai Finau, told the committee there was no need to do that.
He said it was the responsibility of Investment Fiji to screen foreign investors and that they depended on Reserve Bank of Fiji to provide them with the financial background.
In response, Ratu Naiqama said as the land leasing agency, it was important that they conducted background checks on foreign investors.
“You are the land leasing agency and it’s important that you carry out these background checks,” he said.
“There are a lot of foreign investors coming to our shores, for the protection of landowners, you need to carry out background checks on foreign investors.”
