In an attempt to promote rural community and resource owners' participation in Fiji's economic development, the government has approved the formulation of policy guidelines for the assistance provided under its subsidy program for fisheries and forest sectors.

Minister for Primary Industries, Joketani Cokanasiga said the fisheries and forest subsidy scheme has already assisted 344 rural fisherman over the years from 1999 to 2008 with a budget of more than $3.8 million.

He said harvesting of the resources needs specialized skills, equipment and facilities of which the required capital investment are often beyond the reach of ordinary resource owners in the rural areas.

Cokanasiga said that the guidelines will see that there is an increase in domestic production and import substitution, increase and diversify in supply and forest products, provision of employment opportunities and improvement in the living standard of small scale fishermen.

He said the guidelines once formulated will be taken to cabinet for approval.