Yaqara studio city the most complex development

August 3, 2004 (from Fiji Government website)

The development of the Yaqara Studio City as the center for Fiji's audio visual industry represents one of the most complex development projects ever undertaken in the history of Fiji said Minister for Commerce, Business Development and Investment, Tom Vuetilovoni.

He was responding on the question raised by Member for Vuda Open Constituency Vijay Singh as to what is the reason for the delay with the Studio City project and when is the project expected to begin.

"Unlike the relatively simple process of construction of an individual food processing factory or a garment factory, it is about creating a new industry in Fiji which will provide growing employment for the youth of this country for generations to come. Indeed the work which is being undertaken is not a single project, but establishes the framework to enable many, many individual projects to take place within the Yaqara Studio City over generations."

He said in addition to the employment creation which will occur at the Yaqara Studio City, government and other land providers, and therefore all the citizens of Fiji, will have additional economic benefit for all the citizens of Fiji through their holding, at no financial outlay, of 10% of the equity in Paradise Entertainment Limited, a royalty payment from commercial revenue flows from the Yaqara Studio City, and rental payments to the land providers.

"No other development in the history of Fiji provides such comprehensive and wide-ranging benefits."

Mr Vuetilovoni said it is important, therefore, that the building blocks for the development of the Yaqara Studio City are carefully and comprehensively put in place.

"I would like to make the point to honourable members that it took nine years of work from the first announcement of Air Pacific's hotel project at Denarau Island before construction commenced. It has taken many years of work for the Natadola project to reach its current stage where work will shortly commence. These projects are just a fraction of the complexity of the establishment of the Yaqara Studio City. "

He said since it came to office this government and its agencies have continued to work diligently with Paradise Entertainment Limited to complete the government regulatory requirements necessary to put in place the building blocks in continuation of work which commenced in 1998 and has been pursued by successive government since.

"Paradise Entertainment Limited has, in turn, also worked closely and co-operatively with landowner representatives and other local stakeholders to ensure their positive and active support for the development."

He said the progress which has been made on this complex development in six years is truly remarkable when measured against other projects.

" Mr Speaker Sir, since 2000 the following steps have been taken by the government and Paradise Entertainment Limited necessary for establishing the audio visual industry in Fiji and facilitating the development of the Yaqara Studio City:

In October 2000 established the Fiji Audio Visual Commission.

On January 15, 2001, entered into an Memorandum of Understanding with Paradise Entertainment, the NLTB and Yaqara Pastoral Company Limited for the establishment of the Audio Visual Industries at Yaqara.

In May 2001 established the Audio Visual Tax incentives as the fiscal framework for the audio visual industry and the development of the Yaqara Studio City.

In Dec 2002 and March 2003, development leases over land at Yaqara were issued to Paradise Entertainment Limited by NLTB and the Department of Lands for the establishment of the Studio City Zone.

In June 2003 FTIB approved the Yaqara Studio City Stage One Feasibility and Business Plan.

On 17 December 2003 gazetted the Town Planning Order creating Studio City Zone as a Town Planning Area.

On 28 January 2004 gazetted the land covered by the leasehold area as the Yaqara Studio City Zone under the taxation act.

In July 2004 issued the foreshore lease, the final step in securing the leasehold area for the Yaqara Studio City development.

Mr Vuetilovoni said with the finalisation of these requirements now in place, Paradise Entertainment Limited has been able to move to the final Master Planning Stage for the Yaqara Studio City and is currently has a team of staff and domestic and international consultants working with the Town and Country Planning Department in concluding as quickly as possible the Master Planning of the site.

" It is the intention of Paradise Entertainment Limited that formal lodgment of the Master Plan with the Town and Country Planning Department will occur by the end of September 2004."

" Provided the lodged Master Plan meets the necessary requirements and can be approved expeditiously, Paradise Entertainment Limited will commence site works at the Yaqara Studio City in the fourth quarter of 2004."

He said it should not be overlooked that the work on the Studio City at Yaqara in fact commenced with the establishment of the Telecom Fiji satellite station at Yaqara Studio City, completed in early 2004 which represents an anchor tenant and provides a critical telecommunications facility necessary for the operation of the industries at Yaqara.

" The Government is committed to its continued support for the development of the Studio City at Yaqara, and is excited about the strong prospects as it moves forward to provide employment and economic development opportunities for both the Yaqara region and Fiji as a whole."

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