FIJI spends $21million in prawn imports, says Minister for Trade and Investments Manoa Kamikamica.
He revealed this while explaining Government’s plans for the aquaculture industry.
“For export in terms of aquaculture we are setting up hopefully a project very soon to focus on the scaling up of the prawn industry,” he said.
“The prawn industry in Fiji imports is $21 million per annum and growing.”
He said they were also focused on the commercial industry by providing an environment for the private sector to invest in the sector.
“It is no secret that right now there is a laser focus on commercial agriculture and aquaculture in terms of private sector engagement,” said Mr Kamikamica.
“The Opposition Leader will be aware that Fiji Water is actually on the ground now in Fiji acquiring land for commercial agriculture. The exciting thing about that initiative is that it will lead to commercialisation of some of our crops because they have the expertise, and they are looking at mango and papaya for import replacement.”
Mr Kamikamica also took a swipe at the previous administration for their inability to address Fiji’s increasing import costs.
“When you come to think of it some of the initiatives that we have undertaken in two years or less than two years they never did it.
“With all due respect to the other side of the House, their inaction has led to this side of the House to do what we are doing at the moment.”
