The Superyacht Charter Decree was approved by Cabinet yesterday. In making the announcement at a press conference yesterday, the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said: “This is quite an important decision made by Cabinet. Those of you who know about the tourism sector, the super yacht industry is the top end of the tourism sector. “It is hardly ever, if ever affected by recessions.
Last year during the recession, the top 3 to 4 per cent of the superyachting sector was not affected at all.” He said in the Southern Pacific super yachts only went to Tahiti and up to the east coast of Australia. “So in between there is no opportunity for super yachts to be cruising; to be chartering in the Southern Pacific waters.”
He said it had been close to over a year that they had consultations and not just with the private sector but with government agencies like the Department of Immigration, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, Customs and Revenue service, investment board, tourism and maritime service administration.
“With the new decree this will allow these super yachts to come and charter in Fiji. “We have come up with a decree which will allow these super yachts to come and charter in Fiji, to cruise in Fiji.
“This will be of enormous economic benefit to Fiji.” He said this initiative was in line with the Prime Minister’s 2010 Budget in which they had reduced the duty on marine vessels.
“This now helps to assist to create a marine industry in Fiji.” He said super yachts were big spenders.