The Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama said Government policies in the past have not succeeded due to a lack of advance planning and preparedness on the part of the Ministries and Departments.

While giving his opening remarks at the workshop on preparedness for implementation of major capital projects for next year, Commodore Bainimarama pointed out that there seems to be a lack of urgency to get things done.

Commodore Bainimarama said the annual project implementation rate has fallen from 96% in 2003 to around 70% in 2007 which is a reflection of poor project planning by Ministries and Departments.

Meanwhile, Fiji Trade and Investment Bureau Chairman, Francis Narayan said while the Interim Government is trying its best to attract investors in the country, steps should be taken now to speed up Government procedures in dealing with investors.

Narayan stressed that some Government Department's take too long to approve a project which disturbs the investors and that not much done is to make best use of our land. He said there have been a number of cases where investors have turned their back on Fiji because they could not find a space to start their business.