INTERNATIONAL SUGAR ORGANISING COMMITTEE BRIEF PRIME MINISTER

Organisers of the 43^rd International Sugar Organisation's Council Session  briefed the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama this morning on the progress of the organising logistics for the upcoming meet.

The committee which is chaired by the Ministry of Sugar permanent secretary, Lt Col Manasa Vaniqi, briefed the Prime Minister on the logistics for the meet which is scheduled to take place on the 1^st week of June at the Sofitel Resort on Denarau Island.

The ISO meeting will be opened by the Prime Minister as Chair of the International Sugar Council and will see more than 100 delegates deliberate ways of strengthening the global sugar industry.

As Chair of the ISC, the Prime Minister has to ensure that the sugar sector is promoted on the global stage.

"As the current chair of the International Sugar Council (ISC), we are firmly committed to advancing the cause of this global industry and the millions of ordinary people the world over who depend on it for their livelihoods", PM Bainimarama told participants at a separate sugar meet this week.

The meet will see representatives present on challenges and best practice methods in strengthening the sugar sector. From Fiji’s side, presentations will be made by officials from the sugar sector including officials from the Sugar Ministry, the Fiji Sugar Corporation, as well as the Sugar Cane Growers Council.

The last ISO Council Session was held in London in 2012.

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FIJIAN PRIME MINISTER OPENS INTERNATIONAL SUGAR RESEARCH MEET

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama this morning opened an international workshop designed to provide a source of fuel, fibre and food through the nobilisation of ‘erianthus’  - a sugar hybrid.

As a hybrid, erianthus is gaining interest in crossing with other sugar hybrids. While this has seen considerable success across institutions in China, India and Australia, this workshop brings international sugar research experts to present techniques in making crosses in erianthus.  While the workshop will discuss the necessary processes needed for this hybrid crossing, it will also present recommendations to improve existing breeding programs.

Acknowledging the challenges for the sugar industry on the international stage including challenges faced by smaller sugar producing countries, the Prime Minister highlighted the need to strengthen sugar reforms in Fiji.

"As the current chair of the International Sugar Council (ISC), we are firmly committed to advancing thecause of this global industry and the millions of ordinary people the world over who depend on it for their livelihoods".

“Naturally, it is the small players such as Fiji that are most vulnerable to these uncertainties and fluctuations of the marketplace”, PM Bainimarama said.

“I mention all this, ladies and gentlemen, because although there are certain forces that are out of our control, we must act on the reforms that are within our control”.

“It means being smarter. It means adopting new practices. It means taking advantage of new technologies and techniques”.

Highlighting the conditions that Fiji’s sugar industry faced in the past, the head of government who also heads the sugar ministry, said that ensuring the sustainability of the industry will improve the lives of ordinary Fijians, in particular those that depend on it.

“For all the uncertainties that existed in the international market, there was certainty in Fiji that the industry was in serious trouble. So we set ourselves to carrying out a comprehensive series of reforms. It has been a demanding process to change the old mindsets. However, with vision and planning it will pay dividends”.

“In this respect, I am pleased to say that only last week I was able to announce to the Fijian people a record payment to cane farmers for last year’s harvest, as well as a high price secured for next year”.

The Prime Minister said that the workshop presents an opportunity for participants from eight nations to impart knowledge and experiences for Fiji.

"For the sugar industry, these opportunities often come in the form of new sugarcane varieties. In fact, the development of new cane varieties forms an absolutely critical part of the industry".

"Like many of the countries represented here, Fiji has a sugarcane research centre. We have produced many commercial varieties of sugarcane, and we have achieved great successes in developing cane varieties low in impurities, adaptable to poor soils, requiring less water and resistant to hurricanes and droughts".

This morning’s workshop also saw a presentation on recent improvements in cane breeding in the country and an overview of sugar research in the country.

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MORE COOPERATION NEEDED TO BETTER ADDRESS ENVIRONMENT ISSUES

Government has set platforms to work with various stakeholders to better enforce and strengthen environment laws in communities.

This was relayed by the Minister for Local Government, Colonel Samuela Saumatua at the launch of National Environment celebration campaign which coincides with World Biodiversity Day at Colo-i-Suva today.

“The theme for this year’s celebration is Greener Fiji: Our Lifestyle. Working together for safer home,” Colonel Saumatua said.

Colonel Saumatua said the theme reflects cooperation and integration of work programmes between government and non-government organisations and communities.

“The (National Environment) celebrations is the first of its kind and the event will create a platform to raise awareness in our communities on the different environment issues,” he said.

Colonel Saumatua said environmental issues needs to be addressed through an integrated approach as it impacts on the country’s economic development, social stability and contributes to environment degradation.

He challenged all stakeholders present at the event to create more awareness to protect the environment for our future generations.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment is currently training litter prevention officers within community settings to better inform people about litter laws.

Director for Environment, Jope Davetanivalu highlighted that the department is working hard to ensure that people adhere to the Litter Decree law.

“Parts of the new laws state that a person or corporate body or any organizations that both directly or indirectly deposit and abandon any dangerous litter in public is considered as an offence,” Mr Davetanivalu said.

All stakeholders are adamant that through this integrated approach, they will be able to bring forth positive changes in attitudes towards environment sustainability.

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FASANOC AND NETBALL FIJI RECEIVE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR PREPARATIONS

Two sporting organisations received a major financial boost today for overseas tournament preparations under government’s allocation of $1.5 million for assisting sporting bodies. 

Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASNOC) and Netball Fiji received a cheque of $49,000 and $80,000 respectively from the Fiji National Sports Commission for their preparation for international tournaments.

 

Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC) executive chairman, Peter Mazey said the contributions given to the two sporting organisations was part of government’s allocation of $1.5 million to assist FASANOC (Pacific Mini Games), Netball Fiji (World Youth Championships in Glasgow and Pacific Netball Series in Samoa), Rugby League (World Championships in United Kingdom) and Fiji Rugby (7s World Cup in Moscow).

 

Mr Mazey said government has provided substantial funding for sporting developments this year.

 

“We have an additional $1.5 million for those sports and additional funds as well for assisting other sporting organisations in the hosting of tournaments in Fiji, bringing in sporting experts and scholarships for athletes to go overseas,” Mr Mazey said.

 

FASANOC chief executive officer, Lorraine Mar said that FASANOC was grateful for the assistance and for government’s support towards Team Fiji.

 

“FASANOC has already utilised its resources in terms of giving preparation grants to the various sporting bodies,” Ms Mar said.

 

“From last year, we had said that government’s contribution would be forwarded to them once we receive it which we will immediately do after this as this money will be used for training the athletes.”

 

Expressing her gratitude to the FNSC, Netball Fiji president, Wainikiti Bogidrau said the contribution received today would  go towards the Pacific Netball Series.

 

“We are taking two teams across- our national team and our under 21 squad,” Ms Bogidrau said.

 

“They will be playing in the second tier competition against the Samoan Under 21 team. As for our national team, they are there to defend their title, they will be playing Papua New Guinea on June 4th, Cook Islands on June 5th and Samoa the host nation who are also our strongest competitors,” she said.

 

The FNSC also confirmed that total contributions for the year to FASANOC will be $142,000 and $210,000 for Netball Fiji.

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AIRPORT UPGRADE RECEIVES OVERWHELMING INTEREST

Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) is receiving overwhelming interests from contractors around the globe for the redesign of the Nadi International Airport.

AFL acting chief executive officer, Naushad Ali said they have received expressions of interest from companies as far as South Africa for works expected to begin in July.

“This shows the level of interest from renowned international and local companies who want to be part of the unique designing of the new look Nadi Airport terminal."

 

Initial plans are now being developed on a multi-million dollar upgrade with special emphasis on new and improved passenger facilities such as retail shopping and dining.

 

“We are currently in the designing stages and Fiji will soon boast a modern international airport with local architecture to portray the unique Fijian culture,” Mr Ali said.

 

“We are not rushing into things but we hope to start by July and we want to do it right.”

 

Mr Ali said the urgency of the upgrade aligned well with the recent Government decree that has cancelled all present concessionaires’ contracts for a twelve month period, while new contracts are either entered into or tendered out, based on the upgraded facilities.

 

Many of the changes would be integrated into a new, larger departure lounge extending out to the edge of passenger walkways that provide access to and from departing or arriving aircraft.

Mr Ali said the changes would also improve passenger facilitation by creating more space for passengers to be comfortably processed when arriving or departing from Nadi.

The proposed changes are believed to create a better environment for all stakeholders.

“Ultimately it will be our visitors to Fiji who will benefit, enjoying an international shopping and food experience in surroundings that would be world-class, and a fitting first and last impression of the country at Nadi International Airport,” Mr Ali said.

The airport serves close to a million international passengers every year at its single terminal.

The last major upgrade to the Nadi airport had been done in 2003, with an investment of FJ$72m while 26,000m” apron area was replaced in 2006 at a total cost of about FJ$11m.

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