Global freight costs have increased phenomenally and created a huge challenge for the country.
This was highlighted by Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at the launch of a new Fiji Development Bank loan scheme in Nadi.
He said during a budget consultation with stakeholders in the tourist town, the exponential port to port freight cost was a major concern.
“In some port to port destinations, it has actually increased threefold and in some areas, fourfold and that, of course, will be a challenge,” he said.
“These things are beyond the control of sovereign states, but how we mitigate cost increases once the goods land in Fiji is what we can look at.
“Fundamentally, a lot of it affects not only things like food items but also things like hardware and other goods that we import from overseas.”
