The public and private sectors have been encouraged to work together to resolve issues the sugar industry will face in the lead up to 2017 when Fiji’s sugar exports will no longer get EU preferential market access.

Speaking at a workshop on reforms for the sugar industry in Suva this morning, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said the two sectors need to work together.

“We now have only 29 months before the EU Sugar Quota expires on 1 October 2017. We need to make every single month count in our collective effort to ensure not only the survivability of our Industry but to cement a sustained future – more efficiency, more diversification, more attempts to secure new markets, more hard work on the part of everyone."

Bainimarama says consistent assessments and reviews need to be conducted to ensure results are delivered for both the industry and the 200,000 Fijians whose livelihoods depend on it.

He adds he’s not prepared to fail the ordinary men and women.