Sugar industry undergoes reform

The mediator in the Sugar Industry, the Sugar Commission of Fiji in charge of handling disputes and related matters will now have its work shared by the Fiji Sugar Corporation, the Sugar Cane Growers Council and the Sugar Industry Tribunal.

This comes after the interim cabinet approved the Interim Prime Minister's submission to dissolve the Sugar Commission.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama said the Fiji Sugar Marketing Company which is the marketing agent for FSC for offshore markets will also be wound down and its assets, operations and functions will be transferred to the FSC.

He said the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji will also be reformed and a section of the Sugar Institute Act which allows for the provision of extension services to cane growers by the institute, will now be assumed by FSC.

Bainimarama said the objective of the reform is to lighten the financial burden of the cane growers and the millers by dissolving the Commission and Sugar Marketing Company.

Commodore Bainimarama said the reform is a commercial decision taken in the interest of the industry, the nation and the 200,000 rural people who derive their livelihoods from the industry.

He added the Sugar Industry structure set up in the 1980s has outlived its usefulness and has become a burden and its contributions to the industry is questionable.

source:fijivillage