4 Oct 2012

Fiji given three weeks to present written submissions for maintaining GSP

8:31 am on 4 October 2012

The United States has given Fiji three weeks to present post hearing written submissions in a bid to maintain the US Generalized System of Preferences, GSP.

Fiji's eligibility to the duty free access scheme for Fiji companies exporting products to the US is under review after a petition by the federation of trade unions, the AFL-CIO.

Live Trading news online says following discussions in Washington DC earlier this week on the US plan, it was decided Fiji could present written submissions in three weeks time.

Fiji's interim government has stressed the impact of the loss of GSP eligibility would result in 15,000 job losses.

It says, the intention of the Essential National Industries (Employment) Decree is to ensure the viability of specific industries that are vital to the Fiji's economy and GDP.

The government says it does not destroy the trade union movement in Fiji, as has been alleged.