(G) Qarase was killing the sugar industry
Government Release. Jan 7, 2009.

Laisenia Qarase should be the last person talking about saving the sugar industry as he did nothing in his six years to resolve the expiring land leases situation, the political interferences and the inefficiencies which plagued the industry. These are the comments of Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister as he hit back at Qarase’s comments that polls can save the sugar industry.

Commodore Bainimarama said the Interim Government has been bold enough to improve the ground rental which landowners received through implementation of a 4% rental subsidy. The Government as a result paid just over $3.5 million to landowners just prior to Christmas being for 6 months. These are the types of benefits which landowners stand to gain if they agree to continue to renew expiring land leases.

With regards to bringing about improved efficiencies in the production of sugarcane, industry facilitation and milling operations, I have already announced of my plans being the following;

• Effective implementation of the recommendations emanating from a ‘snapshot’ review of the financial and operational viability of FSC recently undertaken by Messrs Rasheed Ali and Ram Karan. This Report will be made available to all industry stakeholders once the FSC Board has considered and accepted it.
• Expediting the mill upgrading programme under the Sugar Technical Mission (STM) assistance;
• Giving further support to the work of the Committee on Better Utilisation of Land (CBUL) in an effort to ensure that land is made available for sustaining the existing industry and/or further expansion thereof;
• Ensuring that agricultural inputs such as fertilizer and herbicides are readily and competitively available to farmers;
• Reviewing the functions of Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC), Sugar Commission of Fiji (SCOF) and Fiji Sugar Marketing Authority to ensure that the overhead costs for farmers and the FSC are reduced and in return they get maximum benefits in areas of cane development, industry facilitation and export marketing;
• Strengthening of the Board of FSC Ltd; and,
• That appropriate provisions in the Master Award are reviewed and modernized to ensure survival of the industry on a sustainable basis.

Whilst EU assistance would be of help, I am not prepared to compromise the vision which the Interim Government has mapped out for building a peaceful, better and progressive Fiji just because some ‘carrots’ are being dangled at us. The Interim Government will do all it can through its determined leadership, political will and existing resources, to save the sugar industry, assured Commodore Bainimarama.