Nadi Airport Transit Hotel owner, Veer Singh Sharma (middle), with some of his staff. Photo: JYOTI PRATIBHA
JYOTI PRATIBHA
NADI
For a man coming from humble farming background, investing in Fiji is a calculated move, for which he is sure of his returns.
Veer Singh Varma of Nadi has recently invested $1.3 million, with the financial backing of HFC Bank, in a 20-room hotel minutes away from Nadi International education.
While the hotel is officially due to open its doors in about two weeks’ time, it has been running on almost 100 per cent occupancy daily, primarily because rooms are available from $55 to $80 per night.
A lecturer at University of the South Pacific’s School of Accounting and Finance, Mr Varma was the first person in his settlement to attend tertiary schooling.
When he was in form 6 and 7, he used to do door-to-door selling of vegetables.
Today, he owns a motel in Nadi and this will be his second – the Nadi Airport Transit Hotel.
Mr Varma said he did not believe in politics, but as someone with astute finance sense, he recognised that investing in Fiji these days was a lucrative opportunity.
The 36-year-old Nadi businessman said his family had gone through some very trying times while at school with his three siblings.
“Keeping politics aside, I recognise the opportunities this Government has brought about for investors,” he said.
“We have some of the most investor-friendly policies in Fiji and that has given me the confidence to come out and invest in this hotel.
“HFC Bank has been very supportive with their financial advice as well.”
Mr Varma’s investment has seen more potential investors buying land in surrounding areas, with intention to invest in similar hotels.
With some 10 staff, Mr Varma believes in hiring the right people who keep the show running when he stays in Suva for his teaching job at USP.
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