The directors of Voko Industries are now awaiting a response from the Prime Minister’s office on the interim government’s decision to relax duty of imported canned foods, before they determine the fate of close to 400 staff of the company.
One of the directors, Ilaitia Tuisese, told Fijivillage this morning that the zero duty on imported canned foods which comes into effect from today will have a direct impact on their bottom line and the management will have to make some tough decisions in the next few weeks regarding the staff numbers.
Tuisese said they have made some recommendations to the Prime Minister’s office and are still awaiting a response. However, he has declined to reveal what the recommendations are.
Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s office Pramesh Chand confirmed that they have received the recommendations from Voko Industries which have been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance.
Chand said they will follow up on the Finance Ministry's decisions on the recommendations before they respond to the company.
As of today, there will be a new duty rate of zero percent on selected food items which include white rice, brown rice, tinned fish including sardines, tuna and mackerel, other canned fish and cooking oil. VAT will also be scrapped on locally produced eggs.
Voko Bosses Await Word From IG
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