Incoming Minister for Public Enterprises Charan Jeath Singh said there are 32 public entities he has been tasked to review.
Following his appointment by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Mr Singh said he was requested to scrutinise a few enterprises that were not performing well.
“I was surprised by the Prime Minister to head that (Ministry) but he told me that there were about 32 entities in total that falls under public enterprises,” said Mr Singh.
“There are some good ones where government gets a dividend, there are some average ones and there are some worse ones that are not doing well.
“Those ones, Government is giving them money to actually keep them afloat.”
Mr Singh said his first priority would be to find solutions to improve operations for the struggling public entities.
“So, what my prime responsibility and objective would be is to assist all of public enterprise entities and see where I can use my business brain to turn them around.
“We will give them time.
“I am not going to shut them out overnight.
“My point of view is they can make money and it is just a matter of looking at where they have gone wrong over the last few years.”
Mr Singh said what the ministry would do to these struggling entities if there was no improvement in the upcoming months would be decided after the 2026 general elections.
“If it doesn’t make money, then obviously after the next elections then I will decide.
“If I come back.”
The incoming Public Enterprises Minister added his recent India trip proved to be beneficial for the ministry.
“We met with five Ministers and all were related to agriculture and my new Ministry and all of them have expressed a willingness to work with us.
“They were more than happy to collaborate with us and give us assistance in areas that we need to focus on. The onus is on us to send our shopping list to them.”
