Coronavirus May Interrupt Supply Chains in Fiji Soon

Coronavirus (COVID-19) seem far away but Fiji’s reliance on products from China, such as electronics, textiles, hardware and homeware, remains heavy.

With production work from manufacturers put on hold due to the virus, a developing country like Fiji may face a slight impact. To understand the slow impact to the stock supply from China to Fiji, SunBiz spoke to some businesses seeking their views.

New Century International Trade Co.

Located on Renwick Road in Suva, New Century International Trade Co. Ltd has been quite popular amongst enthusiastic Suva dwellers.

They specialise in repairs and selling gadgets such as laptops, phones, Bluetooth speakers just to name a few.

Company director Allen Lee is uncertain about the operations of the business as his next stock supply is yet to be delivered from China.

“We cannot bring anything right now from China because the factories that manufacture the products are closed.

“I am not even sure if my container from China will be allowed into Fiji as I am still liaising with my customs agent.

“We still have most of our stock in but I am thinking of the coming few months if the virus continues to spread, it will become a problem for us because we have stock for at least one to two months.

“The rent we will still have to pay, I do not know what will happen next because the staff will also be affected.

“We usually get two months’ worth of stock but with this virus we might not get our stock in time so we might close.

“If the shop does not have enough stock then we may have to close,” he said.

New Century International Trade Co. Ltd currently employs 25 staff of which 23 are local and two are from China.

Quality Vogue

Businessman Lawrence Zhang is crossing fingers for now as his next stock supply is possibly coming next week.

However, he remains skeptical as the deadly virus may have caused a delay in the production of items that he would sell at his shop in Vanua Arcade, Suva.

Items such as shoes, purses, clutches, school bags, running shoes and sandals to name a few.

He first opened his shop in 2017.

He says for now, the shop has its stock but with the deadly virus, Quality Vogue may suffer a loss.

“I was lucky for now but in the future since people work and production in China have stopped, it may cause a delay in the supply of the stock.

“Looking ahead this may cause a 30 per cent loss for my business. If I order from Australia and New Zealand, they do not make the items I sell.

“Only China does and it would be more expensive if I import from the United States of America. The only solution is to wait and see what happens next, “said Mr Zhang. Quality Vogue currently has only one employee.

Construction council

The construction industry has yet to suffer the impacts of Coronavirus, Construction Industry Council (CIC) said. However, the council anticipates the impacts over the supply of building materials, chief executive Vijay Naidu said.

“If the industry is impacted, alternative resources may be available.

“It will not change practices to the building standards,” he said.

Chinese Trade

Amy’s Relax, Massage, Hair and Beauty is a Chinese-owned salon at the corner of Mark Street.

Workers said the parlour is well-stocked with two year’s supply of hair products, even as its owner remains stranded in China.

“She has to go to Thailand for 14 days quarantine before she returns to Fiji,” a spokeswoman for the business said.

“We are not affected by the limitations to imports from China in view of Coronavirus.”