Fiji Live News - April 28, 2010
Manufacturing members of the Fiji Employers Federation say they feel government should not rush into implementing a proposed ‘Made in Fiji’ and ‘Buy Fiji’ initiative.
In a note paper following a brainstorming session yesterday, members said the campaign should not go ahead “without close and detailed consultation”.
They also said a one-day workshop to discuss the initiative with Attorney-General and Minister for Industry and Trade, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum “may not be enough”.
“Further, due to the wide range of issues pertaining to “Made in Fiji”, it was felt that the appropriate thing to do was for the government to engage in more intimate dialogue after the consultation workshop.”
Announcing tomorrow’s workshop, Sayed-Khaiyum said in a statement that the one day contribution of the key stakeholders is vital to the initiative’s success.
“This initiative by the Bainimarama government is geared towards the promotion of local products and would include new classification for identification of Fijian grown, produced, manufactured, processed and also packaged products,” he said.
FEF members also said that the focus of Fiji’s manufacturing sector should be on value-adding and import substitution activities while the country’s export potential would be realised as the various industries within the sector matured.
They said however that this should not exclude existing export-oriented businesses.
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