17 Aug 2005

Fiji bans import of Vanuatu kava

8:32 pm on 17 August 2005

The Fiji government has banned the import of Vanuatu kava effective from now.

Radio Fiji quotes the finance minister, Ratu Jone Kubuabola, as saying the ban is in retaliation for the imposition of severe restrictions on the import of Fiji made biscuits.

Ratu Jone says cabinet has approved amendments to customs regulations to prevent Vanuatu kava from entering Fiji.

The ban will be reviewed in six months.

Vanuatu's kava exports to Fiji are worth 3.6 million US dollars a year while Fiji's biscuit sales to Vanuatu were only worth 1.2 million US dollars.