We are taking steps to competitively position Fijian mahogany in markets in USA, Australia and New Zealand - PM

We are taking steps to competitively position Fijian mahogany in markets in USA, Australia and New Zealand - PM

By Iva Danford
Wednesday 19/08/2020
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. [image: Fijian Govt]

Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Fiji Mahogany Industry Council Voreqe Bainimarama says they are taking steps now to competitively position Fijian mahogany in markets like USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Bainimarama highlighted this while officiating as chief guest in the Fiji Mahogany Trust Annual Board Meeting.

He says Fiji grows high quality mahogany, but without proper accreditation that quality does not guarantee growers anything where the market access is restricted and the price for timber is lower.

Bainimarama says some countries will not even purchase unaccredited hardwood at all.

He says Fiji’s plantations need to be properly accredited and they are committed to seeing that happen.

Bainimarama says some preliminary works have already begun.

The Prime Minister says the history of the mahogany industry is not all pretty as it is a long story marked by disappointment and scarred by corruption. He says with the money and machinery poured into the industry over the decades, Fijian mahogany should be a highly demanded global commodity, but it is not, as they are still paying for the many other missteps which includes the collapse of the Fiji Hardwood Corporation.

He says it is Fijian landowners and Fijian taxpayers who will suffer for that short-sightedness.

Bainimarama says he does not need to emphasise the importance of long-term planning to anyone in the business of growing mahogany as it takes more than 25 years for a tree to reach full maturity so they know taking a view of the long-term is part of the very nature of this business.

He says the Fiji Mahogany Trust’s new small loan initiative is off to a promising start but surely landowners are building capacity and business acumen among landowners to seize ownership over the actual process of production, creating employment for people and saving costs on sub-contracting.

He says they must carefully monitor and audit those loans to ensure they are generating solid returns.

Bainimarama says they must achieve a level of transparency that shows them funding is being used efficiently.


FEATURE NEWS
Meli Bainimarama handed prison sentence in Australia
Meli Bainimarama has been sentenced to 28 months imprisonment with a non-parole period of 14 months. He is the son of former Prime Minister, Voreqe...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Gift of Instant Connection with Digicel Fiji
Digicel Fiji is spreading the magic of the season with its Christmas campaign, Gift of Instant Connection. Digicel Fiji says this season, let’s ...
4 hours ago

LTA suspends two driver licences for risky behaviour
Two individuals who had uploaded videos on social media while driving and engaging in risky behaviour have had their licences suspended by the Land ...
5 hours ago

Infection prevention and control guidelines in place to deal with super-bugs - Dr Tudravu
We have processes in place like infection prevention and control guidelines to deal with super-bugs. Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr Jemesa ...
5 hours ago

PM opens new FNU Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies
Future maritime students are set to gain valuable learning opportunities following the opening of the Fiji National University Pacific Centre for ...
5 hours ago

Loss of traditional values contributing to drug abuse in iTaukei communities - Volatabu
The students of Assemblies of God and Dr. Ram Lakhan Memorial Primary School in Tacirua have been reminded of the importance of understanding who ...
6 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Doctor Alipate Vakamocea on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiji Medical Association President, Doctor Alipate Vakamocea will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan The show will focus on ...
13 days ago

Mangal and Akauola on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan The ...
13 days ago

Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
19 days ago

TOP