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
ACP Driu highlights ongoing issues in Nadonumai as residents report open drug sales and safety concerns
Assistant Police Commissioner Operations (ACP) Livai Driu has highlighted ongoing issues in Nadonumai, including school dropouts, house break-ins, dru...
1 hour ago
LATEST NEWS
John Wesley College Home. Economics classroom on fire
National Fire Authority officers are currently attending a report of a fire at the John Wesley College at Grantham Road in Raiwaqa. fijivillage ...
27 minutes ago

Its a bit too early for GCC to be self-dependent – Ratu Viliame
It will take a few years for the Great Council of Chiefs to become self-dependent after the Chair Ratu Viliame Seruvakula revealed that it is a bit ...
35 minutes ago

Its a bit too early for GCC to be self-dependent – Ratu Viliame
It will take a few years for the Great Council of Chiefs to become self-dependent after the Chair Ratu Viliame Seruvakula revealed that it is a bit ...
35 minutes ago

Prof. Prasad urges donor support for Pacific Resilience Facility to help vulnerable communities
A call is being made to the key donors and investors to contribute to the Pacific Resilience Facility that will help vulnerable Pacific people ...
46 minutes ago

Israeli airstrike kills 15 people and 16 injured in Damascus, Syria
Fifteen people were killed and 16 others injured in Israeli strikes on Damascus in Syria, marking one of the deadliest strikes in months to hit the ...
3 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 ...
50 minutes 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 ...
55 minutes 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 ...
7 days ago

TOP