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Ninety per cent of businesses severely hit by recent flooding in Nadi are confident and optimistic of rebuilding and continuing operation in the tourist town, says Nadi Chamber of Commerce president Ram Raju.
Some business owners who operate on a very small scale and lost heavily in the flood have indicated, however, that they will either close or relocate their businesses.
“But we are trying to assist them how ever we can to keep their spirits high so we can convince them to be strong and continue operating in Nadi,” Raju said.
“Otherwise, 90 per cent of the people surveyed are optimistic of rebuilding their businesses and they’re looking forward to start again,” he said.
“By and large, no one is closing shops immediately apart from three small ones.”
At present, Raju said the Chamber was talking to commercial banks to assist these small businesses, particularly through the provision of soft loans and freeze on interest rates on loan repayment for the next six months.
“We hope to have a meeting with the Fiji Development Bank (FDB) on Wednesday to request them to offer businesses soft loans to get them back on their feet and we are hoping that other commercial banks can follow suit,” Raju said.
In the meantime, he said it was disappointing that water and power supply was not fully restored.
He said only 30 per cent of businesses had its power supply restored.
He added that low water pressure was not assisting in getting businesses clean up fast so they could resume operation.
