FCCC: SUPPORT LOCAL TRADERS

The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) is urging Fijian consumers to support local business services and purchase locally made products during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 crisis, both locally and globally, it is important for Fijian consumers to buy Fijian or locally produced products.

“As Fijians, we need to show solidarity and support to one another in this trying time. By making use of the local services and purchasing locally produced products, you ensure that the money spent in Fiji stays in Fiji - reinvesting in the Fijian economy and our local communities,” said FCCC chief executive officer Joel Abraham.

“Essentially, it’s good for consumers, it’s good for communities, it’s good for the country to buy products and service of Fijian companies.

“We must promote growth within our economy, and we hope that this campaign will benefit local manufacturers and retailers – large and small – and contribute to the economy, while also benefiting Fijian consumers.” Mr Abraham said another factor plays an important part in why we need to buy locally due to the COVID-19 pandemic - the potential for compromised supply chains.

“We have to bear in mind the potential for shipping routes from countries we import from being restricted in the case of an escalation.

“If that happens, we will be solely dependent on local sources, so we need to build their resilience through our support.”

In addition to this, there are many reasons to buy Fijian local products, ranging from supporting the local economy to slowing environmental impacts.

“Fijians have shown their amazing creativity during this crisis.

“We can see examples of this innovation every single day and we can be extremely proud of this,” said Abraham.

“When we purchase freshly produced products such as vegetables, crops and fish from our local market vendors, we show our loyalty, not just to these hardworking Fijians but to Fiji, as a whole.”