Duty concessions on environmentally sustainable products was a key suggestion made to the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum during private sector budget consultations yesterday.

Patricia Mallam, who was representing members of the Young Entrepreneurs Council and the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, said one of the obstacles they faced was trying to promote the use of bio-compostable or biodegradable packaging for products.

She said entrepreneurs struggled with the high costs of items which they were importing to serve or package their products.

Items such as bamboo food containers and starch bags.

“I understand that there is some duty on it, but what we are asking for is further exemption or even a zero duty if possible, to help not just the young entrepreneurs but also for the market to begin to opt for cleaner and environmentally sustainable alternatives,” Ms Mallam said.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said in that analysis the Government also had to factor in the impacts to local manufacturers of plastics who employ hundreds of people.

However, he said that they would try to look for alternative options. Maisuria Design Limited managing director suggested for duty concessions on products that promoted the use of renewable energy.
“I know solar panels come in free duty, but that is not the only area where it can make a difference,” he said.

“Maybe there can be an opportunity to look at finding some concessions for the developer to bring in new material to use to save energy.

“We all think of solar on the roof but there are panels that are available that can go on walls, so there are different technologies available, where if concession were given, people could be encouraged to use it.”

My Sayed-Khaiyum said the Government was very serious about promoting renewable energy and asked that Mr Kumar’s written submission list items that should attract concessions.

“We want to get into more renewable energy, more dependency on renewable energy as an energy source and we want to reduce our carbon footprint,” he said.

Edited by Susana Tuilau

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