EU to Engage, Kisan Sangh Supports Sugar Reforms, More Fiji Water, Rural Development, Soqosoqo Vakamarama Welcomes Funding

EU WILLING TO ENGAGE ON ROADMAP. The European Union has indicated its willingness to engage more with Fiji on its Roadmap for the Return to Democracy in 2014,  according to  Fiji’s ambassador to Brussels Peceli Vocea, who said a letter outlining the EU’s position has been signed by Catherine Ashton, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commissioner Development Andris Piebalgs.

“That’s a very interesting development." he said. "I think a letter was just sent to Fiji signed by the Commissioner Development, and Catherine Ashton, that they are looking forward to working with Fiji on the roadmap – with regards processes Fiji may need to put in place for 2014.” He described the letter as a very important gesture, and a very important development for Fiji with the EU.


FIJI'S OLDEST UNION SUPPORTS GOVT REFORMS. The Fiji Kisan Sangh (Farmers'Union) has called on cane growers to get together and support government’s plan to reform the sugar industry. Sangh national general secretary Pundit Om Prakash reiterated PM Bainimarama’s earlier statement to farmers that too much political interference in the past caused the downfall of the sugar industry. With an allocation of $123m set aside for the sugar industry Pundit Prakash says this clearly indicates how much government is committed to reviving the industry.

Pundit Prakash has also welcomed the $6m allocated for the cane replanting program saying that farmers should be thankful and work hard to make full use of this initiative. He says farmers can also be rest assured that things will run smoothly within the FSC as government has indicated it will monitor the income and expenditure of the company from next year.

Kisan Sangh was the first farmers' union formed in Fiji in 1937. The Wikipedia entry is well worth reading, just in case we forget the Colonial Sugar Refining Company.

FIJI WATER.  A reader thinks I erred in linking to the Sydney Morning Herald article on Fiji Water without further comment. He wrote: "You start it with I didn't know that Fiji Water had 'paid less than $F1 million in total corporate tax since its inception, and received up to $F5 million UNDERLINE a year in value-added tax refunds for its export sales.' A valid point, he says, but I should have said they were given a 12-year corporate tax exemption when they set up. Nor did I mention "the reason they get their VAT back is that they are the country’s most successful exporter and they are complying with one of this very Government’s policy to encourage exports. A plan that has worked spectacularly well in the case of Fiji Water. You do not mention the royalty they pay to Yaqara ...the millions in duty [and] PAYE they pay, [and] the millions they make in FNPF contributions."  I hope this redresses my omissions.

RURAL GOOD WORKS. Works Ministry spokesperson Sainiana Waqainabete said this government is committed to improving the lives of people living in rural areas by providing them with proper infrastructure. Developments taking place include major upgrading of roads, electricity and water provision, focusing in the immediate future on Labasa, Tailevu and Nadroga.  She said there are indications that some people who have migrated to urban areas return to their villages once proper roads, electricity and piped water are supplied.

SOQOSOQO VAKAMARAMA has applauded the increased 2011 budget allocation for the Women’s Plan of Action 2010-2019.  General secretary Adi Finau Tabakaucoro said the increase of $50,000 in the Budget and the allocation of $160,000 for the Fiji Women’s Federation, to total $1.6m, reflect on the government’s commitment  to the development of women in the country. The allocations will help more women to start micro-enterprise businesses and income-generating projects to reduce poverty, especially in rural areas.

Adi Finau said "Government is doing its part. It’s providing the resources and facilitating development initiatives and reforms are resulting in several changes for the better. Now the responsibility rests on the communities, the NGOs and the civil society to play their part to ensure the aims of the Government particularly those outlined in the Roadmap for the Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development 2009 to 2014 is being fulfilled.” -- Based on 2010, No:2103/MWSS.