The Fiji Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the government's decision to reject a proposal from the Prices and Incomes Board (PIB) to include the 24 items under the Counter Inflation Act by the end of this month.

Chamber President Swani Maharaj said it is a big relief to the business community as the decision taken is in the national interest.

He said business in the country is the engine of growth providing employment and generates economic movement in the country. He said the Chamber was very concerned with the new 24 items added on the list. He said he sympathises with the low income earners or the poverty stricken people but the basic food items are already under price control.