Fiji Media Crackdown To Hurt Economy, Foreign Investment

Fiji Media Crackdown To Hurt Economy, Foreign Investment - Australian Minister

By Neil Sands - 

JUNE 29, 2010

Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

MELBOURNE (Dow Jones) A crackdown on foreign media ownership in Fiji will damage the island state's economy and deter foreign investment, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Tuesday.

Smith condemned a Fijian decree imposed this week forcing all media outlets to be 90% locally owned within three months, saying it damaged both free speech and the country's economic prospects.

In comments that drew a sharp rebuke from Fiji's Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Smith said the foreign ownership cap could deter investment in Fiji.

"That will have very substantial and serious deleterious effects on Fiji's economy and adversely affect the prosperity of their people," Smith told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

He described the action by Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama as regrettable and said his regime "continues to take Fiji backwards."

Since Bainimarama came to power in a bloodless military coup in 2006 he has cracked down on press freedoms, censoring reports and expelling foreign reporters and media executives, as well as suspending the constitution and pushing back the deadline for promised elections to 2014.

Fiji's economy, heavily reliant on sugar exports and tourism, has experienced sluggish growth in recent years due to political tensions and lack of progress implementing economic reforms, according to a report released in December by the International Monetary Fund.

The report predicts a fall in foreign direct investment in Fiji to an estimated US$264 million in 2010 from US$415 million in 2006

Sayed-Khaiyum said Smith's remarks were inaccurate and Bainimarama's government had worked to liberalize the economy to make Fiji more attractive to investors.

"The people who know Fiji, the people who are investors or would-be investors in Fiji, know that the issue of the media is very, very separate to the private sector investment that takes place in other sectors," he told Sky News Australia. "To draw some type of correlation is completely misplaced."

News Corp.'s (NWS) Australian subsidiary News Ltd.(NWS.AU), which says it will have to dispose of its only Fijian newspaper The Fiji Times under the decree, has described the move as a blow to the country's fragile economy.

"This is an outrageous precedent that will make foreign investors in other industries very nervous about their involvement and support there," News Ltd. Chief Executive John Hartigan said in a statement Monday.

News Corp. owns Dow Jones & Co., publisher of this newswire and The Wall Street Journal.

The Fiji Times is the largest newspaper in the country by circulation and has long had a tense relationship with the Bainimarama regime. News Ltd. said Monday that reporters at the newspaper had faced physical intimidation from the military-led regime and two managing directors have been deported in the past two years.

Sayed-Khaiyum said Fiji wanted to ensure its media wasn't run by foreigners who had no interest in the country's future.

"The media organization needs to have a stake within the country itself," he said. "They need to be pro the country, I'm not saying pro-government, but pro the country."

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the way Fiji had set about controlling the media was heavy handed.

"We want to see democracy restored in Fiji because we want a full operating economic environment," he told reporters. "When you start banning media and telling organizations to sell their newspapers, to me it sounds like a step too far."

FEA seeks $1billion dollars

by Elenoa Baselala

Fiji Times - Wednesday, June 16, 2010

THE Fiji Electricity Authority needs more than $1.1billion to "strengthen" its existing transmissions and invest in future transmission networks.

Chief executive Hasmukh Patel said this was essential in order to transport electricity from the new sources of power generation to customers, and to successfully meet the ever-increasing demand for power.

He said last week that a realistic tariff based on the cost of production would enable FEA to do this.

"The power transmission and distribution networks that need to be strengthened or constructed have been identified and preliminary works have commenced," he said.

The power provider needs $375million for its capital expenditure on generation, $210m for the Independent Power Producers (IPP) and $520m for FEA transmission, distribution and retail.

"FEA plans to fund some of these schemes and expects the private sector and independent power producers to fund the remaining mainly power generation projects," Mr Patel said.

The FEA already has government guaranteed debts worth $400m, which was confirmed by Public Enterprises head Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at the Fiji Institute of Accountants Congress last week.

At the same meeting, Reserve Bank of Fiji governor Sada Reddy voiced his concerns on the State's liabilities, particularly in bailing out some of the statutory companies whose debts the State had guaranteed.

In particular, Mr Reddy gave the example of the Housing Authority where close to $40m worth of debts were transferred to equity as the organisation could not service its debts.

Mr Patel said the FEA could not further increase its debt levels to fund the identified projects as existing cash inflow was insufficient to enable funding for these projects.

But if it does not do anything, the possible scenarios would be inability to meet increasing demand of electricity, high fuel bills due to reliance on diesel generation, power rationing and its inability to service its debts could result in the immediate repayment of the loans and exposing the government as the guarantor.

While tariff realignment was approved by the Commerce Commission two weeks ago, Mr Patel recommends a detailed tariff study to establish the realistic tariff levels that would enable the FEA to implement its development program, facilitate the entry of IPPs, ensure long-term financial sustainability and achieve financial returns.

Get Bauxite mine running: Illegal Fiji PM

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation - Thursday, June 10, 2010

Stakeholders involved in the proposed Bauxite mine initiative in Bua have been urged to speed up negotiations and get the mine up and running. 

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, at a visit to the bauxite mine area today, also urged landowners to go into a joint venture with the mining company so they can reap the benefits.

FBC News Roland Koroi with this report from Bua:

“Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama told landowners at Nawailevu that the main reason he is pushing for the opening of the bauxite mine was so that they could benefit. 

Bainimarama told those gathered at the proposed mining site that for far too long landowners of this country were not taken seriously and were not getting what they rightfully deserve in as far as far as their concerned. 

The Prime Minster was briefed by experts at the site before being taken on a short tour of the Naiviqiri Bay. The Naiviqiri bau is currently being looked at as the site for a wharf – for the loading of bauxite. Naiviqiri is about 5 minutes out of the mining site and it is also here that a quarry will be built to contribute towards the betterment of the road which is now just a track through reed patches on soapstone and red mud. 

It was here that Bainimarama told the Permanent Secretary for Lands Colonel Neumi Leweni that he wants work to begin as soon as possible. 

He has also advised NLTB representatives present at the site to speed up the process of sorting the land leases out and he has made it clear that he does not want anybody or anything to prevent or even delay the process of getting this project off the ground.”

Permanent Secretary for Lands Colonel Neumi Leweni told FBC News that outstanding issues with the mine will be sorted out soon.

“The Prime Minister has been briefed by the Company and mineral resources officers and directed that we discuss all the issues with NLTB on Tuesday to sort out all the issues that needs to be sorted out and the green light will be given.”

Fiji Inflation hits 9.4% in May: Bureau

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation - June 04, 2010 

Fiji’s average annual rate of inflation stood at 9.4 percent in May 2010, compared to the same month in 2009, the Bureau of Statistics said in figures released this week.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) which covers price changes in urban areas (Suva, Lami, Nausori, Lautoka, Nadi, Ba and Labasa], has weights derived from the Household, Income and Expenditure Survey of 2002/2003.

The average CPI for the 12 months to May 2010 stood at 6.6 percent compared with the average for the 12 months to May 2009.

The Bureau said the CPI for the month of May 2010 registered an increase of 0.1 percent over
April 2010 (126.4) and stands at 126.5.

In price changes recorded over the previous month, food prices dropped 0.6 percent with lower prices recorded for cereals, fresh fish, fresh fruits, mineral water, yaqona, fats and oils, tea, milo, ovaltine, top dressings, confectionery and market items such as imported carrot, okra, egg plant, rourou, pumpkin, onion, potato, dalo, cassava and blue peas.

The transport category recorded an increase of 1.9 percent with higher prices recorded for new vehicles, petrol, diesel, new tyres and spare parts.

Alcoholic drinks and tobacco saw a drop of 0.1 percent with lower prices recorded for cigarettes.

The Bureau said the housing and clothing and footwear categories recorded some changes but these were “balanced out”.

Momi properties up for mortgagee sale

Fiji Live News - 02 June 2010

Abandoned Bure at Momi Bay Resort

The Fiji National Provident Fund is not the only entity to incur losses due to the collapse of the multimillion dollar Momi Bay Resort project as the Unit Trust of Fiji is now making efforts to recover its $12.5 million invested in the project.

The Unit Trust of Fiji has put up over 300 acres of freehold land on the site for mortgagee sale which was to be stage two and three of the development project.

Unit Trust with the Banaban Trust invested in stages two and three of the development at Momi, which would have included the construction of the Ritz Carlton Resort, the expansion of the golf course and residential lots.

Since the project hit financial problems, Unit Trust was directed by the Capital Markets Development Authority to initiate steps to recover the Momi loan which was not being serviced.

Now, Unit Trust has brought in real estate agents, Bayleys to sell off the property through a mortgagee sale.

Bayleys Director Philip Toogood said the final price of sale for the property will be determined by the market.

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The Momi Bay Development project was to have cost around $225m and the Fiji National Provident Fund invested in the first stage of the development investing around $80 million.

An earlier attempt by the FNPF to auction the property fell short of the recovery amount with the highest bid being only $44 million.

The FNPF has since decided to cut its losses and has written off a total $55 million from the Momi Bay Resort project.

FEA in Danger of Insolvency: Reddy

Fiji Live News - June 02, 2010 

Fiji’s Commerce Commission says the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) could become insolvent if tariff rates are not above the unit cost of generating electricity.

Announcing the realignment of electricity tariff rates yesterday, commission chairman Dr Mahendra Reddy said the position of FEA at this stage was quite a worrying factual reality.

“The implications from this scenario on Fiji at the micro and macro level are numerous as the consequences of such a scenario will be disastrous,” he said.

Reddy indicated that rising fuel costs and the increasing use of diesel generators to produce electricity will also severely impact Fiji’s foreign reserve position.

“Power shutdowns and rationing will affect the commercial and industrial sector and thus economic growth in Fiji,” he added.

Reddy said after receiving a submission by FEA to implement an average 8.82 cents per unit tariff increase, the commission proceeded to examine the submission on its own merit.

According to the commission’s analysis, Fiji’s electricity tariff rates are much lower than comparator economies such as American Samoa, Kiribati, Palau, PNG, Tuvalu, Tonga, New Zealand and Australia.

“The commission noted that the current tariff rates do not reflect the scarcity of the single most important input, water, that it utilised in electricity production,” he stated.

He also indicated that FEA’s effort to encourage conservation of electricity by users has not led to significant gains on electricity savings.

“The unproductive and luxury usage of electricity continues to take place in the domestic, commercial, institutions and church group and the street light user groups.”

Reddy said FEA’s heavy borrowings to build a new hydro dam and power plant at Nadarivatu in the interior of Viti Levu was taken into consideration.

The new tariff rate alignment will see high end domestic users paying 8.82 cents more while the commercial sector will have to pay between 2.2 cents to 11.8 cents more depending on their usage. 

Households that consume 130 kWh monthly will be paying 16.4 percent less.

The decision is phase one of the tariff alignment and the Commerce Commission has asked FEA to provide detailed information to undertake phase two of the alignment, expected to take place next year.

HA to meet defaulting owners

Fiji Live News - May 24, 2010 

The Housing Authority of Fiji has embarked on an initiative to provide defaulting property owners with a final chance to retain their homes.

The authority last month met with 27 defaulting property owners in the central and western divisions to restructure their repayments and identify solutions on arrears.

They plan to meet with more than 150 other customers.

Housing Authority spokeswoman Shirley Tagi said their primary objective is to help the homeowner work out an arrangement to avoid foreclosure and allow the homeowner to stay in his or her home.

“We are willing to listen and find mutually acceptable solutions within reasonable boundaries as long as our customers’ financial situation is well-substantiated,” she said.

Tagi said they will be contacting their default customers on a case to case basis over the next few weeks to identify effective solutions based on genuine need.

“This ensures beneficial outcomes for both parties and prevents anyone from becoming a chronic defaulter, or worse becoming homeless,” she added.

This will be done before homes are placed on mortgagee sale or put up for auction.

Tagi said the authority could not afford to sustain its services if non-performing loans kept escalating.

“We are now calling on default customers to meet with us and discuss the options before it is too late.”

Meetings are scheduled for customers in Suva for May 25, 27 and 29 and in Lautoka from June 3 to 5.

Fiji Inflation Risk

by Shalveen Chand

Fiji Times - Monday, May 24, 2010

INCREASED liquidity in Fiji's banking system poses risks of inflation and loss of competitiveness, while high State debt and contingent liabilities, together with 70 per cent of GDP raise concerns about fiscal sustainability, says the International Monetary Fund.

The IMF, in its situation report released last week, said economic growth in Fiji of 2 per cent was likely in 2010, driven by a rebound in tourism, the global recovery, and rebuilding after the floods.

Fiji, however, faces considerable downside risks.

The growth outlook remains highly uncertain. The IMF cited volatility of commodity prices, the risk of natural disasters and the complex structural reform agenda.

The IMF has recommended tighter fiscal policy to safeguard macroeconomic stability and ensure sustainability. A reduction in the budget deficit to about 2 per cent of GDP in 2010 has been suggested. This excludes the cost of civil service reform with further consolidation over the medium-term.

Fiji agreed on the need for medium-term consolidation, but at a gradual pace.

The 2010 budget targets a small increase in the deficit to 3.5 per cent of GDP, with consolidation planned for 2011 and beyond.

The IMF also noted that the public enterprises were a source of significant fiscal risk and to eliminate losses and encourage private investment in these areas, tariffs for all goods and services provided by public enterprises should be raised to full cost recovery levels.

The report said the Fiji Electricity Authority's tariffs, among the lowest in the region, should be raised to reflect the cost of imported fuel and adjusted over time in line with changes in import costs.

Tariff adjustments should be accompanied by well-targeted transfers to protect the poor.

IMF said that a more flexible exchange rate would help absorb external shocks and protect Fiji's reserve position.

The authorities are considering raising tariffs, strengthening oversight of public enterprises, and moving regulatory functions to an independent entity to improve governance.

In a meeting held between IMF and Fiji, it has been agreed that monetary policy should be tightened to ensure inflation returns to low levels and protect foreign exchange reserves.

The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) recently increased banks' required reserves and removed ceilings on banks' lending rates and spreads. The RBF is considering further steps to tighten liquidity, but did not see the need for a substantial increase in interest rates given the fragile economic outlook.

The authorities are evaluating the possibility of a more flexible exchange rate arrangement. IMF said that a more flexible exchange rate would help absorb external shocks and protect Fiji's reserve position.

Employers owe FNPF $7.6 million

by Rejieli Kikau

Fiji Times - Monday, May 24, 2010

MORE than 100 employers owe $7.65million to the Fiji National Provident Fund for outstanding contributions, says FNPF chief executive officer Aisake Taito.

In an advertisement last Saturday, FNPF gave the employers 10 days to clear all outstanding FNPF contributions owed to their workers.

"This is another option explored by the fund to recover unpaid contributions from defaulting employers," he said.

"We're now asking them to do the right thing to their employees by complying with their statutory obligation as prescribed under the FNPF Act," he said.

He said the employers needed to pay FNPF contributions as these had been deducted off workers' wages and income.

Mr Taito said that was not the first time they were giving employers time to pay up their outstanding arrears to the fund.

"Once an employer has defaulted on payment, we send them reminder notices and our inspectors visit them," he said.

"If they still do not comply, we refer the matter to our enforcement team, who send them demand notices; non-failure to pay these contributions then leads to court action."

He said employers are also surcharged for failing to meet their payment deadline.

Mr Taito said the deadline for contribution deducted in one month, was set to the end of the next. (i.e contributions for April, would be paid before May 31).

He said in the last few weeks they have been publishing names of these employers in the newspapers asking them to pay outstanding contributions.

"The names of these defaulting employers will be forwarded to the Director of Immigration for further action. Specifically, the Immigration Department will also extend the reminder notices to these employers when they try to leave our shores.," he said.

He said the advertisement therefore served as a reminder to these employers to pay-up or make necessary payment arrangement before they intend to travel overseas.

It is believed employers who did not pay up their arrears on time could be placed on a travel ban.

Fiji Economic Growth Downgraded

24 May 2010

Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji Sada Reddy

The devastating effects of tropical cyclone Tomas has led to a lower than expected forecast for economic growth this year.

Chairman of the Macroeconomic Policy Committee and Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji Sada Reddy has revealed that the domestic economy is now forecast to expand by 1.8 percent in 2010 compared with the 1.9 percent growth announced in November last year.

Reddy said this marginal downward revision to the GDP growth is largely due to Cyclone Tomas earlier this year which greatly affected agriculture in the Northern Division and Eastern Maritime areas.

He said the contraction in the economy projected for 2009 has also been revised to a 2.2 percent decline from the forecast 2.5 percent decline announced in the 2010 National Budget.

Reddy said the improvement is due mainly to better than expected performances in the transport & communication, wholesale & retail trade, public administration & defence, health & social work, education, manufacturing, real estate, other community, social personal services, mining & quarrying, electricity & water and financial sectors.

The RBF Governor said the real GDP growth projections for 2011 and 2012 have been revised downwards to 1.7 percent from 2.4 percent in 2011 and 1.9 percent from 2.5 percent in 2012.

The 2 downward revisions for both years mainly arise from forecast weaker performances in the manufacturing, transport & communication, construction, wholesale & retail trade, real estate and other community, social & personal services sectors.

Speaking on trade Reddy said exports and imports are anticipated to rebound in 2010 by 9.5 and 12.5 percent, respectively.

He said the growth in exports is projected to be underpinned by a growth in re-exports of mineral fuels, gold, mineral water, garments and other domestic exports.

However, Reddy said imports are also expected to increase due to a pick up in domestic demand as growth prospects are expected to improve this year.

Official foreign reserves as at 14th May 2010 were $1.07 billion, equivalent to around 3.4 months of imports of goods and non-factor services.

Fiji faces ‘considerable risks amid growth’

Posted by Pacific in the Media. - May 22, 2010 

Fiji’s GDP is likely to grow 2 percent in 2010 driven by a rebound in tourism and the global recovery but it faces considerable downside risks says a new International Monetary Fund country report.

The report said increased liquidity in the banking system poses risks of inflation and loss of competitiveness while high government debt and contingent liabilities (together 70 percent of GDP) raise concerns about fiscal sustainability.

“The growth outlook remains highly uncertain due to political developments, volatility of commodity prices, the risk of natural disasters, and the complex structural reform agenda,” the report said.

It said the IMF recommended tighter fiscal policy to safeguard macroeconomic stability and ensure sustainability.

A visiting IMF delegation advised a reduction in the budget deficit to about 2 percent of GDP in 2010 – excluding the cost of civil service reform – with further consolidation over the medium-term.

The authorities agreed on the need for medium-term consolidation but at a gradual pace, the report said.

The 2010 budget targets a small increase in the deficit to 3½ percent of GDP with consolidation planned for 2011 and beyond.

The report said the IMF and local authorities agreed that monetary policy should be tightened to ensure inflation returns to low levels and protect foreign exchange reserves.

“The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) recently increased banks’ required reserves and removed ceilings on banks’ lending rates and spreads. The RBF is considering further steps to tighten liquidity, but did not see the need for a substantial increase in interest rates given the fragile economic outlook.”

The report also said that preliminary data on financing shows that as bank lending to government “reached sovereign exposure limits”, the Fiji National Provident Fund provided most of the funding of the fiscal deficit which increased to about 3 percent of GDP in 2009 from near balance in 2008.

Central government debt was expected to rise to 53 percent of GDP by end 2009.

Contingent liabilities arising from “poor performance” of public enterprises were also noted as sizable.

“Net losses of the Fiji Sugar Corporation, Fiji Electricity Authority and Air Pacific amounted to 1 percent of GDP in 2008/09 and entail fiscal risks while central government guarantees of public enterprise debt amount to 15 percent of GDP at end 2008.”

Fiji export levels 'continue to diminish'

Fiji Live News - May 18, 2010 

Fiji’s Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says Fiji has been talking about export for more than a decade but unfortunately export levels continue to diminish.

Speaking at the Awareness Seminar for Exporters in Suva yesterday, Sayed-Khaiyum said while there has been a lot of talks about export and import substitution, on the ground, it has been spiraling the other way around.

“This seminar is very important for you to have information on regulatory perspective and also the various other incentives that are available for you exporters to help determine your business matter.

“As a potential exporter, it also helps you to look at your pricing whether you are competitive in your pricing or not.”

Chief Executive Officer of Fiji Islands Trades and Investment Bureau (FTIB) Annie Rogers said there is a lack of awareness on assistance measures for exporters.

She said these included assistance such as the Duty Suspension Scheme (DSS), the Export Financing Facility (EFF) and on export requirements and procedures.

“I hope this seminar will enhance your understanding of trading on the international scene and strengthen your contacts with the agencies that have been mandated to look after your needs as an exporter,” she said. 

Sayed-Khaiyum noted that government has a national export strategy scheme whereby the Ministry of National Planning, Trade and Investment will carry out various assessments to allow people to place themselves in the export market.

Decree to stop Natadola losses

by Elenoa Baselala

Fiji Times - Thursday, May 06, 2010

CABINET has approved the Natadola Development Bay Development decree to plug the erosion of funds through the Natadola development project. The decree cancels former developers Asia Pacific Resorts Limited's (APRIL) foreign investment certificate because of the non-disclosure and misrepresentation of its foreign shareholders.

It also provides for the forfeiture of the shares held by APRIL in Natadola Land Holdings to FNPF Investments Limited.

In addition, all properties presently held by APRIL that formed part of the integrated resort development would be transferred to the property of NBRL.

"This is necessary to enable Natadola Bay Resorts Limited to continue with the development of the Natadola Bay Project and to ensure that meaningful securities are provided by NBRL to FNPF for the monies invested by FNPF...," Tourism head Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said.

"What this will mean is that the problems faced by various subsidiaries of FNPF in acquiring proper ownership and securities to the development carried out by them using the funds of the members will no longer exist.

"Consequentially, the decree excludes any challenges in the courts against the forfeiture of shares, the transfer of property or any decision made by the Minister of Finance or any State official under the decree.

"The decree also terminates various court proceedings in relation to the Natadola Bay Development which have been pending in the courts for a number of years now and it paves the way for NBRL and FNPF to make advancements to the development of Natadola Bay without any legal or administrative hurdles.

"It should be noted, however, that the forfeiture of the shares under the decree will not affect the day-to-day running of the company nor will it affect the rights and obligations of those dealing with the company or those who have contracts with the company except of course HPPL, its directors and shareholders.

"Essentially, what this means is with the implementation of the decree, it means FNPF will have the legal ability to carry out developments in Natadola without any obstruction from shareholders in HPPL, whose participation in the project had led to these various write-offs arguably.

"It also means that there would be the possibility of write-backs into the members' funds with the development of the balance of the land in Natadola."

Thriving business keeps Kasavu ladies busy

Fiji Times - Wednesday, May 05, 2010

+ Enlarge this image

Women of Kasavu in Savusavu, Cakaudrove sell food by the Buca Bay highway

DRIVE by Kasavu outside Savusavu Town in the province of Cakaudrove at about 6am and you won't miss the vehicles parked along the dusty highway as motorists grab a tasty breakfast.

There you will find a group of women who are too busy to even to take a break as they serve customers all day long.

They're kept cutting up pies, cakes, scones and mixing hot drinks for the early morning travellers.

The six women all operate from a family-owned stall where they sell their own pastries and hot drinks.

One of the women, Kiti Whippy, said business started as early as 5am and ended in the evening when there was no more public transport.

"We start with breakfast where we sell pastries and hot drinks to our customers and that also includes morning tea. But at times, customers ask for cooked food so we also sell that before midday. So we are busy throughout the day.

"The business also gives us good money so we have kept to it for the past years," Mrs Whippy said.

She said their income had helped them financially contribute to their respective families and help meet their other obligations.

"We bake our own pastries and sell them at $1 for big pieces," she said.

"All the public buses stop at our stall to grab a bite of our food and we offer drivers tea and food when they stop because they help us a lot by bringing customers who are their passengers to buy from us

Fiji losing out, says expert

Fiji Times - Wednesday, May 05, 2010

FIJI, like other Pacific Island countries, has lost out on potential export earnings to the American and European markets because of tight controls on seafood exports.

New Zealand-based Solution in Seafood Ltd training and specialist adviser Cushla Hogarth made the comment in an interview yesterday at Pacific Harbour where seafood export officers and Fisheries inspectors are attending a two-and-a-half week workshop on the safety of seafood exports.

"Over the years, there are a number of Pacific Island nations that are attempting to export their fisheries products to markets like the US, Europe and Asian market," Ms Hogarth said.

"So what is happening on an international scene is that there is a need for government departments in each of those countries to form a competent authority a government agency that is responsible for the safety of those products being exported."

Ms Hogarth said specialists from the company and other experts had been visiting individual countries where there was a need to train fisheries officials in those countries on the quality standard required by the importing countries, the EU and US in particular.

She said these two countries particularly, sought for seafood exports from the pacific, particularly tuna.

This, she said prompted this programme aimed at training fisheries officials, both in theory and practical, on how to set up their competent authority and how to maintain it; export standards; how to certify seafood products; how to do inspection and audits of seafood products, etcetera.

"Some of them (countries) have actually got up and running with the US because you do not need a competent authority to do that but in time, that will become a requirement," Ms Hogarth said.

"So the Asian market and US market, they have been able to access that but this will mean they can do it much better," she said.

Fisheries officials from Kiribati, PNG, Solomon Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Marshall Islands are represented at the workshop.

Fiji has yet to send representatives.

In 2007, Fiji's total canned and frozen fish exports were worth around F$100 million in 2007, compared to F$97 million in 2006.

Mahogany harvest ‘unstructured’

Fiji Live News - May 05, 2010

Although Fiji has one of the world’s largest mahogany plantations, the harvesting of these have until now, been carried out in an unstructured manner.

Minister for Public Enterprises Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said this has resulted in minimal returns given to landowners, Fiji Hardwood Corporation Limited, government and the Fijian economy.

The government has thus issued an invitation calling for expressions of interest from interested partied for the purchase of mahogany timber from FHCL.

This move is expected to be under the scheme established by the Mahogany Industry Development Decree.

“The decree has been put in place to facilitate a sustainable harvesting and reforestation programme with the view to create a liberised mahogany industry with maximum returns to Fiji and her people,” he said. 

This decree established the Mahogany Industry Council whose membership comprises of the Prime Minister being the chairperson, the Attorney General, The minster for Forests, and the Chairperson of the Fiji Mahogany Trust as well as one other person appointed by the chairperson.

Sayed-Khaiyum stated that under the decree, the council supervises and directs the maintenance and development of the mahogany industry and also supervises and directs FHCL and the Trust in the performance of their functions. 

“Particularly, the council is responsible under the decree to fix the terms of which mahogany timber in any mahogany plantation land may be sold by FHCL and to direct FHCL to enter into agreement with specified persons for the sale of mahogany timber,” he added.

The minister said the council would also determine how the proceeds of sale are to be distributed amongst landowners and the State and to determine amounts to be set aside for reforestation or other purposes.

Under the decree, FHCL will act on the direction of the council and is responsible for managing all operations in connection with planting, growing,, harvesting and sale of mahogany timber on any mahogany plantation land.

All expressions of interest are expected to be received before June 14 this year.