Numerous years of struggle for the Ba Rural Market Vendors has finally come to an end with the opening of the New Open Market near the Ba Market today. It was officially opened by the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Civil Service, Communications, Housing and Community Development, Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and was accompanied by the Minister For Local Government, Education Heritage and Arts, Hon. Premila Kumar.

The project began on the 4th of October, 2021 with an aim to assist the Ba Market vendors who used to travel from rural arrears to sell their produce and found much difficulty in finding a permanent spot to operate from. These vendors used to setup their own marquees outside their market in order to vend their goods while some had to stand out in the sun while carrying out their operations. Thanks to the initiative from the Ba Town Council decision makers, these market vendors will now have a roof on top of their heads while doing their business. The New Open Market Shed is made out a steel structure to ensure the sustainability in the business operations for this rural vendors. The Market Shed has been marked by the Ba Town Council to cater for at most 100 stalls. The Ba Town Council is pleased with opening of this new structure as they believe that this project will boost the morale of this rural vendors in doing their business, which would encourage more vegetable and livestock farming in Ba and push towards economic growth.

The AG stated that rural vendors will now be able to sell comfortably without having to worry about where to go to sell their produce as they travel from afar to be able to earn an income. He stated that despite the challenges brought about by COVID-19 and the recent floods, the Fijian Government continues to rebuild the quality of lives for Fijians not only in homes but also in the business environment. The open market which is fully funded by the Ba Town Council will cater for 100 stalls in Ba.