In The Driver’s Seat

Pacific Magazine: How realistic is the suggestion to bring all Fijian political parties under one umbrella to contest the 2006 elections?

Laisenia Qarase: I do not think it is realistic to expect the merger of all Fijian political parties prior to the elections. There are many different personalities involved with different political ideologies, goals, and personal ambitions. But I do believe that it will be possible to reach consensus on issues such as the sharing of preferences, the formation of a coalition government after the election if no single political party gains a majority in the House of Representatives, and so on.

PM: How do you rate the chances of your party in next year's election?

LQ: The chances of SDL (Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua) coming back to power are very good. Latest opinion polls indicate that our support from the Fijian community exceeds 80 percent and 70 percent in the rural and urban areas respectively. Our support from the Indian community is running at 10 percent and increasing steadily. Support from other communities is also high. These percentages will increase as we get closer to the elections.

The Fiji Labor Party will always be a threat, just as the SDL is a threat to them. FLP's claim to increasing Fijian support is exaggerated. I do not believe that many Fijians will support a party that is strongly opposed to Fijian aspirations on land, constitutional changes and affirmative action programs.

PM: While the Fiji economy has recovered well, there are still concerns about the agricultural sector in particular. What is your government doing to support this sector?

Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase Photo: Samantha Magick

LQ: There is great potential for development in our agricultural sector. The sector is very much under-developed. We are reviving the rice industry and expanding the dairy industry. This latter industry has attracted a large foreign investor to develop the Viti Corps farm at Navua. We will encourage foreign investors in the agricultural sector while at the same time we will continue to assist our small farmers.

The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) is now operational. The AMA will assist in providing markets particularly for our small producers. I must say that the private sector has been very active in the export of agricultural produce and this will continue. There is good potential in the processing of agricultural produce. Our policy will focus on this potential.

Another program that will boost agricultural production is the Alternative Livelihood Project (ALP). This project, to be funded mainly by the Asian Development Bank, will be operational before the end of this year. This project will assist the sugarcane farmers who may have to exit the sugar industry and other small farmers as well.

PM: There are concerns about the legitimacy of some of the companies allegedly recruiting Fiji workers for positions in the Middle East. What is the government doing to act on these concerns?

LQ: Our SDL Coalition Government encourages and supports Fiji citizens gaining rewarding employment overseas. However, we are concerned about the terms and conditions of their employment, their work environment, safety and security and so on.

We also want to ensure that the recruiting agents in Fiji are genuine and honest in their dealings. Government has put in place the criteria to be followed by recruiting agents and they must meet these criteria before they embark on the recruitment process.

We are particularly concerned about our people being recruited for employment in the Middle East because of the unstable and risky environment there. That is why our Minister for Labor, Hon Kenneth Zinck, traveled to the Middle East for a fact-finding visit. We are looking forward to receiving a report from him so that we may review our recruiting criteria and other factors.

Our aim is to ensure that our people are recruited by genuine local agents and genuine employers abroad. Also we want to ensure that our people are treated fairly abroad and that they enjoy their work in a good environment.

PM: What role do you see Fiji playing through regional bodies such as the Pacific Islands Forum?

LQ: Fiji has been playing and will continue to play an important role in the Pacific region through various regional bodies such as the Pacific Islands Forum. The size of Fiji's economy, the level of development and our strategic location in the Pacific demand that we play a key role in regional development. All our neighbors in the Pacific Islands

Forum contribute and play important roles in the region. We are a partnership working together for the good of all. Personally, I hope that the (Pacific) Plan will focus on economic development of the Pacific Islands, including necessary arrangements for market access into overseas markets, particularly into Australian and New Zealand markets.

PM: What is the status of the garment industry discussions with Australia?

LQ: The status of garment industry access discussions with Australia is not satisfactory from Fiji's point of view. Fiji's garment industry is in a precarious position. Current concessions given by Australia are not going to make things better for the industry.

Unless Australia gives some meaningful concessions, the industry is likely to collapse. Discussions are taking place at the officials' level. We are keeping our fingers crossed, so to speak. I am prepared to take this issue up at the political level if necessary. This indicates how important it is to relax the rules if Fiji is to sustain a viable garment industry.