State to go ahead with sugar reform

THE restructure and reform of the sugar industry has been long overdue and doing nothing will only compound the problems and challenges the industry is facing.

Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has re-affirmed that restructure and reform of the industry will go ahead with its main aim of having an efficient, viable and competitive sugar industry in view of eroding sugar prices and the declining trend of farm and factory throughputs.

“The Sugar Industry continues to be used as a political football by the politicians and as a result the state of affairs of the industry is near to collapse,” said Bainimarama.
He also said the current trend cannot be allowed to continue in its present form, particularly when the recent floods are likely to affect production output.



“This is also against the backdrop of declining sugar prices under the Preferential Agreement we have with the European Union and reforms will be undertaken as planned by the Interim Government irrespective of the opposition undertaken form many quarters of the industry, said Bainimarama.

Bainimarama added the sustenance of income for the farmers and the millers was paramount and Government would ensure that the restructure and reform was targeted towards achieving the desired goal.

“There will be much opposition by interested parties to the planned restructure and reforms, but the Government will proceed with its current plan, irrespective of the reluctance by vested groups.”

He said Government has begun to review the sugar industry institutions with focus initially on Sugar Cane Growers Council, Fiji Sugar Marketing and the Sugar Commission of Fiji.