Commission Invites Fijians To Give Proposals On Price Formula
The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) invites people to submit a proposal on a formula or methodology that would result in reducing prices by a 20 per cent margin.
The comment came from the Commissions chief executive officer Joel Abraham after airing concerns that people had been questioning why the commission was not doing anything to reduce the price of goods. Mr Abraham said given that such information was being circulated, it was important to note that Fiji is a price taker and imports most consumer goods including food items.
“Example, rice that Fijians buy in supermarkets with local brands are imported, polished and packaged locally,” he said.
“If anyone has a formula or methodology that would result in reducing prices by a 20 per cent margin, we would request that they make submissions to FCCC so we can review the methodology and pass benefits to Fijians.
“They are welcome to participate in the review processes that independent agencies such as FCCC has and we will be able to take their views.”
He said if Fijians wanted to help they did not need to wait to get into positions of power or win the elections. Mr Abraham said to date they had not received any submission or proposal from people to reduce the cost of goods and/or services.
He said FCCC is currently conducting community education sessions as part of its ongoing consumer awareness programme.
“In the last financial year, we have undertaken 145 sessions with communities,” he said.
“While undertaking such educational sessions, consumers sought clarifications as to why FCCC was not reducing prices of goods (particularly food items).” He said it was highlighted by consumers that promises of price reduction were made to them, however FCCC was unable to establish who had made the promises, as such they were not attributing such comments to anyone. “FCCC is an independent body and wishes to only address concerns.”