Bylaw to stop foreigners operating small retail outlets yet to be discussed

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

HONIARA City Council (HCC) Mayor Hon Andrew Mua said they are yet to meet over restricting business licence to foreigners who wish to operate small fish and chips outlets.

HCC on this move is eyeing to prioritise local Solomon Islanders only to carry out this operation.

“Foreigners who wish to operate such will only be allowed to do specialised restaurant businesses,” said the Mayor.

Ministry of Commerce, Industries Labour and Immigration Director of the Foreign Investment Division (FID) Mr Derick Aihari when contacted recently over HCC’s plan said if they (HCC) make a by-law to restrict this then it is in line with what they have.

“Small Kaibar outlets within the land size of 25 square metres should not be allowed for foreigners,” said the Director.

“Public specialised restaurants that have bars are the outlets that will be allowed for foreigners.”

Currently, there is growing concern over the increase of small foreign Asian food outlets in the capital.

Discover more from Theislandsun

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading