The Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama said the former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase should be the last person talking about saving the sugar industry as he did nothing in his 6 years term to resolve the expiring land lease situation, the political problems and the inefficiencies in the industry.

Commodore Bainimarama said that the Interim Government has been bold enough to improve the ground rental which landowners received through implementation of a 4% rental subsidy.

He said the interim government as a result paid just over $3.5 million to landowners just prior to Christmas being for 6 months.
Bainimarama stressed that these are the types of benefits which landowners stand to gain if they agree to continue to renew expiring land leases.

The Interim Prime Minister said that his government will do all it can to save the sugar industry which is why he has taken the Sugar Ministry portfolio where he will see many changes made to many things.

This comes after former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said earlier that the only way to save the sugar industry is to hold elections and secure the EU funding for the industry.