Media also reports the Fiji Trade and Investment Board as saying that investment is not taking place because of political instability in the country. In the same breadth, however, the Chief Executive of the FTIB also defended Qarase's hold onto power. But this defence can be explained in terms of the CEO's personal interest. The CEO, Jesoni Vitusaqavulu, has been one of the major beneficiaries of the corruption scandal involving the Fijian Holdings Ltd and the Fiji Development Bank. Qarase was the Managing Director of the Development bank for many years.
Media reports that more factories are closing.
The large Forum Shoes factory has already closed its Ba plant. And it has reduced the number of workers in its Lautoka plants. Another major factory is facing closure. Tourist arrivals have continued to remain extremely low. This is despite the many millions which the regime and the industry have spent on promotions abroad.