EU assures of more funding for our sugar industry
The European Union has once again expressed their interest to assist our sugar industry to ensure its sustainability. This was revealed by European Union Ambassador to the Pacific, Andrew Jacobs, in Nadi yesterday. He said sugar and agriculture are some of the big priorities the European Union is working hard to assist Fijians in. Mr Jacobs said: “We are working with our office in Brussels as we are preparing a programme of support for the sugar and the agriculture industry as well the recovery after the cyclone. “We know there is 20 million Euros programme which is around FJ$45 million. We have the funds for the sugar and agriculture and there is a need to have something additional to that as well.” Mr Jacobs said it was one of their big priorities to ensure the sugar and agriculture industry here picks up. Thus, they are focusing on the industry and ensuring that farmers have to means to recover from the effects of the cyclone, not only for their families but also for the overall Fijian economy. He remained tight lipped with the amount that will be endorsed, however, he said it will be revealed next month. “We don’t know the additional funds we are going to have but we will be announcing in the next two to three weeks then,” he said. Mr Jacobs said the funds will be directed to the Fijian Government and the onus remains on Government in the order to make the utilisation for those funds. He said the way they work is the funds get directed to the Government and then the Government will decide what to do with it.
“If it (government) decides to prioritise the fund for the sugar mills, that’s the Government’s decision. Our work is how much money we can make available to them,” Mr Jacobs said.
We don’t know the additional funds we are going to have but we will be announcing in the next two to three weeks then. Government will then have to prioritise.
Andrew Jacobs
European Union Ambassador to the Pacific