SUGAR Minister Charan Jeath Singh says the Labasa and Lautoka sugar mills should remain under Government control, despite discussions about possible privatisation.
Mr Singh said the two mills were too large for any private operator to manage.
“They are too big for anyone to handle. I think the Government should continue running it,” he said.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has previously raised the possibility of privatising the Fiji Sugar Corporation as part of efforts to improve its performance.
However, Mr Singh said privatisation would not be an easy option.
“They are thinking about it, but I will tell you one thing: it is not easy.”
He said he could not see any Fiji-based company showing interest in taking over the mills.
He said during his previous tenure as Sugar Minister, discussions were held with potential investors from outside Fiji about establishing a joint venture.
“We spoke to a lot of people outside Fiji to come and do a joint venture with us, but there was very little interest shown by them.”
He said the Government therefore needed to carefully consider any proposal to change the ownership or management of the mills.
