Fiji Water has come out strongly saying that their decision to pull out of the 2008 Exporter of the Year Awards was based on the response of the Fiji Trade and Investment Bureau to the recent struggle faced by the bottled water industry.

In reply to questions sent by Fijivillage, Fiji Water said that FTIB did not provide any support or assistance towards the bottled water industry during the struggle.

Fiji Water also said that FTIB's chairman Francis Narayan publicly supported the imposition of the unreasonable and draconian excise and export duties, despite them trying to explain to him that his assumptions about their business were simply incorrect.

They have also stated that their decision to pull out of the award has nothing to do with their attitude towards others in the Interim Government and they have established a good working relationship with the Interim Government.

Fiji Water added that they will continue to work with the Interim Government for the betterment of the country and its people and to ensure that the bottled water industry in Fiji continues to thrive.