The Interim Finance Minister has today called on bottled water exporter, Natural Waters of Viti Limited to fully comply with the law in relation to the exporting of its product.
Following the statement by the company that the authorities are blocking their shipments, Mahendra Chaudhry said all will be well if the correct value of the exports is stated by the company to FIRCA.
Natural Waters of Viti Limited revealed yesterday that FIRCA has been blocking their shipping agents from being able to export their bottled water out of Fiji on multiple times since December 2007.
Village News has been informed that Natural Waters of Viti, which exports Fiji Water, has not been given any formal notification or explanation from FIRCA or other government authorities on the reason why the shipping agents have not been able to operate as they normally would.
The company based in Yaqara said as a Fijian company that represents over 15 percent of Fiji's exports, getting their product to the global market is critically important to the Fijian economy. It said each week Fiji Water blocked from leaving the country represents 3 to 4 million dollars in lost exports to Fiji.
Natural Waters of Viti believes that FIRCA is acting on poor advice which is largely based on incorrect information and speculation of the transfer price of traded goods from Fiji. It said that it remains confident that the advice they have received from Baker McKenzie, a world class law firm who conducted a major economic study on Fiji Water's transfer price, is fair and accurate for Fiji and for all its markets, and is consistent with global practices of fair trade.
Comply with the law-Chaudhry
Related Stories
We are committed to holding elections – Siromi Turaga
Questions were raised during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion on whether the government can delay the general elections and complete the Constitution review however Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga
Fijian economy on track to grow for fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4%
The Fijian economy is on track to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4 percent, following a 3.5 percent expansion in 2024. The growth forecast is revised up marginally from the 3.2 percent projected
Heavy Rain Alert for Eastern Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and maritime areas
A heavy rain alert is now in force for the eastern half of Viti Levu (Navua–Suva–Nausori to Serua–Namosi to Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra areas), southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau an
We need to dismantle criminal enterprises, hitting them where it hurts most - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko has highlighted during the opening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Conference that there is a need for prosecutors in the country to master the digital frontie
Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer - Tabuya
At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that
Wailea resident raises concerns about drug issues raised countless times with Police while COMPOL says official complaint must be lodged
Wailea Settlement Community leader, Inoke Utona says he has raised the issue of drug use and dealing in their area countless times with the authorities but there has still been no response from Police. However when