4 Jun 2013

International Sugar Council meets in Fiji

1:52 pm on 4 June 2013

The International Sugar Council has opened a meeting in Fiji chaired by the Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

According to the Fiji information ministry, he has told the gathering in Nadi that government was sparing no effort to revitalise Fiji's sugar industry as it remained a major economic driver, providing a livelihood for 200,000 people.

Commodore Bainimarama says land that had fallen fallow is being replanted and more long term leases are being renewed.

Two weeks ago, he announced a record cane payment.

Commodore Bainimarama says Fiji is on the right path with long term goals to increase production and diversify the sugar industry.

The European Commission stopped its support for Fiji's sugar industry because the regime in Suva had reneged on its promise to return to democracy in 2009.

The regime now says this will happen next year.