FIJI has been used as a dumping ground by countries that would not consider selling their own products within their own countries.
This was an observation made by the Flour Mills of Fiji (FMF) Group Chief Executive Officer Ram Bajekal who was part of the ‘Buy Fiji Made’ campaign at today’s event.
The recipient of the 2011 TFL Prime Minister’s Exporter of the Year award said that the FMF is going all out to promote the “Buy Fiji Made” initiative adding that the campaign works to the advantage of local producers and manufacturers.
“This country was besieged by imports and threatened by imports, and that mean that the money at the first instance goes overseas so all the jobs are created overseas. The value additions happens overseas and Fiji in the end is the loser,” he said.
“Whereas when people buy Fijian products the money is circulating within the country so it’s estimated that on an average it goes around at least 4 to 7 times so when that happens it means that the money stays here.”
Explaining the heavy presence of FMF at the launch of the “Buy Fiji Made” initiative today, Mr Bajekal said they had a lot at stake as it raises awareness and encourages the Fijian people to put more trust in their own products.
“The products that our people buy here are the same products that we export to over 19 countries including Australia and New Zealand where we have a $60m market,” he said.
“So if the Australians and New Zealanders are loving the products it shows us that our when Fijian consumers choose a Fijian product they are making the right choice and that they are choosing well and they are getting the best products.”
Mr Bajekal applauded the incentives and give-aways provided to both manufacturers and consumers in the 2012 National Budget.
“On one hand enterprise has been encouraged through tax reductions and on the other hand, money in the hands of the consumers has increased so it’s a beautiful combination.”
Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum launched the December campaign this morning beginning with a march through the capital city, Suva.
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