A Fiji economist says the theft of more than half a million dollars earmarked for the Reserve Bank is a huge blow to investor and business confidence.
A special police taskforce is now investigating the theft of the money, which was taken from a container at Fiji Ports after its arrival from Britain.
Professor Biman Prasad, from the University of the South Pacific, says the incident creates negative publicity that could scare away investors.
"Something of that nature, where the money destined for the Reserve Bank of Fiji gets stolen at the wharf, is not something that is going to add confidence to the country so I think that might be an issue for potential investors and those thinking about seeing the kind of confidence that ought to be there in the country."
USP Professor Biman Prasad