Fiji keen to learn from Australia’s Sugar Industry

Fiji: The Minister for Multi Ethic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh, met with the Australian Chargé d’ Affaires to Fiji, Stuart Watts, today, Monday, July 31, 2023, to discuss the key challenges the sugar industry has faced due to several economic upgoing concerns.

As per the update, the Minister for Multi-Ethic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh, in conversation with the Australian Chargé d’ Affaires to Fiji, Stuart Watts, emphasised the Country’s keen interest and dedication to learning from Australia’s well-equipped and developed economy.

He shared that Fiji is keen to learn from the Australian sugar industry’s experience and success, especially in power co-generation, ethanol production and production of refined sugar.

The Minister for Multiethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh, while meeting with the Australian Chargé d’ Affaires to Fiji, Stuart Watts, also identified critical challenges of Fiji’s sugar industry as climate change and its impact, shortage of labour, ageing growers and lack of interest to cane farming by the youth.

The primary reason for the meeting was to comprehend how Australia has progressed, promoted reforms and restructured its sugar industry, and on that note, Minister Singh emphasised sharing expertise, training, and schemes to establish best practices and for the sugar industry to prosper.

The Australian Chargé d’ Affaires to Fiji, Stuart Watts, also highlighted the Australian sugar industry’s long-term economic, social, and environmental sustainability by undertaking structural change, rationalisation and exploring diversification in the sugar market.

Minister congratulated Commissioner Watts on his diplomatic assignment to Fiji and commended Australia’s ongoing bilateral cooperation in advancing interests of mutual priorities at the regional level. Fiji and Australia share a close history of solid ties encompassing heritage, culture, multiethnic and agriculture.

He also conveyed his appreciation to the High Commissioner and stated that Fiji is looking forward to working with the Australian Government to develop learnings and better approaches to improving the sugar sector of Fiji.