The performance of the sugar mills around the country remains a serious concern for the Interim Government with the matter expected to be discussed by the interim cabinet today.

In a statement, Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry said while mill performance is not up to par, the industry is doing its best to meet the quota while mill upgrades are expected to be complete by crushing season next year.

Chaudhry has also revealed that there are two major projects taken into consideration in terms of restructuring the industry.

He revealed that three companies from Australia, India and Japan have undertaken serious discussions into ethanol and co generation projects and a proposal will soon be put to cabinet to start operations in conjunction with the Fiji Sugar Corporation by December this year.

Meanwhile, Chaudhry is expected to make a request to cabinet today for $4 million to be loaned from the Sugar Cane Growers Fund for the Sugar restructure program as funds allocated by the EU are on hold.