Increasing prices of goods and services is not the commercial companies' problem but one that the interim government should look at.
Those are the words of Flour Mills of Fiji Limited Chairman, Hari Punja as he continues to fight his case that FMF's companies have started running on losses due to import duty changes brought about by the Interim Finance Minister.
Punja claims that Chaudhry made a comment in one of the meetings he had with him, where the Interim Finance Minister had said that the poor would be drastically affected if the price of flour is increased.
The FMF Chairman said he has made it clear that this issue is for the government to resolve.
However, Chaudhry told Village News this afternoon that he never had a discussion with Punja that the poor will be affected if the prices of certain items increased.
But Chaudhry said he has made the interim government's stand clear that they are trying their best to ensure that basic food items are affordable for the people of Fiji. He said with this in mind the duty on rice and peas was reduced but he said Punja keeps complaining about these policy changes.
Meanwhile, Punja met with Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama earlier today.
While leaving the PM's office, Hari Punja only told our reporter that he had a private meeting with Commodore Bainimarama. He also said that he told Bainimarama that his company was running on a loss due to the import duty changes.
Meanwhile, Flour Mills of Fiji will not be renewing its sponsorship of the FMF Flying Fijians, when the agreement expires on June 1st, 2008.
FMF CEO Sanjay Punja said the decision not to pursue the sponsorship of the FMF Flying Fijians despite their exceptional performance at the recent Rugby World Cup, was a difficult one but necessary given the tough financial times over the past year and a forecasted difficult 2008.
But FMF has assured the Fiji Rugby Union that they will continue to support grass-root rugby, the FMF Chow Kaji Rugby Championship.
However, FMF has given FRU the go ahead to negotiate sponsorship deals with other potential companies well before the agreement expiry date of 1st June, 2008.
Increasing prices not companies problem
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