FCCC is independent says, A-G

THE Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission’s role is to ensure that the prices of items do not get out of hand.

Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum made this comment after National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad questioned the independence of FCCC in Parliament yesterday.

During a debate on the Consolidated Review Report of the Fiji Commerce Commission 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 Annual Reports, Prof Prasad said an independent body should remain apolitical and impartial.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said Mr Prasad had continuously undermined the Fijian economy and the work done by FCCC.

He said Opposition MPs have failed to understand the role of the FCCC.

“He (Prof Prasad) says the banking sector is not doing well, FSC is bankrupt, Fiji Airways is bankrupt, and this organisation is not independent, we don’t have any reserves,” said Mr SayedKhaiyum.

“FCCC does not reduce the price of things.

“FCCC is independent and we need to be able to ensure that that independence continues because it will not only provide consumer protection but what is critically important is to be able to provide competition.

“If there is a competition in the market, we increase consumption, we will create jobs for young people who will go into the workforce very soon and we will be able to have a stable economy.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said if the Government had political influence on FCCC, the price of sugar would not have increased.

“Government in fact objected to the sugar price increase.

“Yet they (FCCC) went ahead and gave the sugar price increase, yes, admittedly not as high as FSC wanted but they actually gave the price rise.

“We could have done a political shoddy job here if we had any influence over FCCC and said don’t increase the price, it is an election year.”