Fiji’s Government Shipping Franchise Scheme presently service 80 ports with and without jetties for 10 routes with an average of about 15 trips a month.
Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Koya highlighted this while responding to an oral question in Parliament this morning.
Mr Koya said last year when he updated Parliament, the scheme was servicing 70 ports and nine routes.
He said the routes that were serviced were lower Southern Lau, Rotuma, Lomaiviti, Northern Lau, Kadavu, upper Southern Lau, Yasayasa Moala, Yasawa, North-east Vanua Levu, Beqa, Yanuca and Vatulele.
“As a maritime economy, Fiji’s shipping sector plays a critical and vital role in trade and economic development and sustaining everyday livelihood,” Mr Koya said.
“Our re-export figures are evidence at a large majority, products actually go through Fiji and Fijian ports to reach other parts of the region, especially Pacific island countries,” he added.
Mr Koya said the main objective of the scheme was to service uneconomical sea routes to maritime islands.
