Look at state of economy as country returns to democracy

SHOT LIST: Suva - 28 August 1. Set-up shot of Suva 2. Containers at Suva port 3. Fishing boats 4. Various of fish being unloaded at Suva port 5. Fiji Employers Federation building 6. Businessmen meeting to discuss measures to stimulate the economy 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ken Clemens, President Fiji Employers Federation "Well, I think the outcome of the election will influence what is going to happen in Fiji in the next few years. The business community is looking for stability following the election. They're looking for support from the wider community for the new government whoever they may be. And I think when that stability comes, investment and new employment will follow." Nandi - 27 August 8. Various sugar cane being loaded by farmers Suva - 28 August 9. SOUNDBITE (English) David Aidney, businessman "We've got get accountability back into the public sector. Over the past two years, the private sector has been driven to become mean and lean and we really need to see that same commitment from the public sector, allowing the private sector to be the engine room of our economy and to guide our growth. But there are a lot of opportunities out there ready to happen." 10. Various of South Pacific Stock Exchange, the second smallest in the world STORYLINE: Tuna and tourists are coming to the rescue of Fiji's ailing economy, ravaged by a coup last year and the political instability that followed. On Tuesday, foreign investors trumpeted two multi-million dollar projects - a new resort hotel for the South Pacific island nation and a fish processing factory to supply premium products to Tokyo supermarkets. The announcement of the new projects came midway through a week of voting to restore democratic rule to Fiji and business leaders called on whatever government emerges to provide stability. The country's economy is still reeling from the May 2000 coup by Fijian nationalists, which toppled the ethnic Indian-led government of Mahendra Chaudhry. After the coup, exports and tourism plunged by as much as 40 percent and factories relocated or closed. Thousands of skilled ethnic Indian workers fled the country as did foreign investors. Key trading partners such as Australia imposed trade sanctions. Business analysts say the coup set the nation's economy back a decade and that the new government must restore stability and credibility in Fiji if the economy is to recover. On Tuesday, a group of California investors announced they would pump 68 (m) million dollars into a new resort hotel project. Meantime, a Japanese-funded fish processing factory has recently begun supplying premium products to Tokyo supermarkets, and expects to expand operations within a month. The company is employing 80 locals catching skipjack tuna and processing it into sashimi. But economic output remains below pre-coup levels, however as the vote unfolds peacefully, investors are starting to signal their interest in returning to the archipelago. Fiji Employers Federation President Ken Clemens said the country has to restore trust and credibility in the international marketplace, and other business leaders said a strong prime minister is needed to rebuild Fiji's reputation overseas. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/facc54bcf36e50969c11652ad3293dfc Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork