Polls can save sugar industry: Qarase

Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase says the interim regime must hold general elections this year if it is to have any chance of saving the ailing sugar industry.

The Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenavanua Party leader said while the re-assignment of the sugar portfolio to the Prime Ministers Office would help with the recovery, it would not solve the serious problems confronting the industry.

According to Mr Qarase, the industry could only survive the removal of price subsidies if mills were upgraded and productivity improved.

While upgrading works are already underway, Mr Qarase said there was basically nothing done about cane farm productivity as a result of the lack of funding.

Mr Qarase said only a massive injection of funds, like that promised by the European Union, would be able to reverse the drastic decline in sugar production.

However, the EU has issued an ultimatum that unless clear progress towards elections was made, the crucial funding would not be released for the industry.