FSC’s financial woes

In the hope of ending Fiji Sugar Corporation’s financial problem, the Government has started talks with a Singaporean company to work in partnership with FSC.

Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh said once talks were finalised, Government would then make known more details.

He told farmer’s reps and FSC officials in Labasa yesterday that FSC has been borrowing money to pay farmers.

“And what has happened over years is that past government didn’t inject money into FSC to fix the mills and improve condition as we have a 150-year-old machine,” Mr Singh said.

“FSC doesn’t have the money and they borrow to pay farmers on time so the Government is very concerned.

“How can we improve and make this business better? So currently we are talking to a big company in Singapore and is interested to be in partnership with FSC and talks have started.”

Mr Singh said this company owned sugar mills, oil companies and other big companies around the world.

He also reiterated the need to work closely with farmers and resolve their issues within a very short period of time.

“We need to know and understand the issues farmers are facing as it is now government’s policy to be inclusive, work together.

“As the Sugar Minister, we are here to appoint and need to advise farmers about the plans in the coming years.”