27 Jul 2006

Fiji Cane Growers will fight to maintain lndian involvement in industry restructure

7:48 pm on 27 July 2006

Fiji's Cane Growers Association says it will fight any moves by the government to cut ties with an Indian-government led mission to restructure the ailing sugar industry.

The association's general secretary, Bala Dass, made the comment following reports that the government has cancelled a deal with the Sugar Technology Mission from India.

Fiji's Labour leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, claims the Fiji Sugar Corporation has severed ties with the mission and decided to take on the restructure itself.

The FSC denies the reports but admits it has fallen out with several members of the mission.

Bala Dass says the Cane Growers Association will ask the government to sort out its differences with the mission, for the sake of cane farmers.

Mr Dass says the mission has made good progress since it began restructing the industry two years ago.