MINISTRY OF SUGAR INDUSTRY STAFF WELCOMED THE NEW MINISTER AT SUGAR HOUSE

The newly appointed Honorable Minister for Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh, was welcomed by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Yogesh Karan and the staff of Ministry of Sugar Industry at their office in Lautoka on Wednesday 4th January 2023 in the morning.

Hon. Singh was accorded a traditional welcome ceremony followed by lunch with Ministry staff.

In his address to the staff, Hon. Singh thanked the Ministry staff for the work being undertaken to ensure the fulfillment of the Ministry’s role to the sugar industry and to the cane growers. Mr. Singh highlighted some key issues crippling the sugar industry such as high production costs, increasing transportation costs, declining soil productivity amongst other challenging factors faced by the growers.

Furthermore in his address, the Hon. Minister highlighted some of his plans in re-engineering the sugar industry and propelling towards achieving better results. He stated the need for collaboration amongst industry stakeholders, increasing mechanization, repairing and upgrading of rail system to compliment cartage of cane through Lorries and reduce transportation cost. The Hon. Minister also stated the proposal of rebuilding and re- operationalizing of Penang mill, explore investment in sugar refinery plant and look into other diversification opportunities for the sugar industry.

After visiting with the Ministry staff, the Hon. Minister met with the Board, management and staff of Sugar Cane Growers Council and Sugar Cane Growers Fund.  On Thursday 5th January, the Minister visited Fiji Sugar Corporation, South Pacific Fertilisers Ltd and the Sugar Industry Tribunal office.