With the 2025-2026 National Budget announcement on the 27th of this month, the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission is strongly encouraging people to report any instances of unfair price hikes or suspicious trading practices.
While responding to questions by fijivillage News, FCCC says while their teams are diligently carrying out these inspections, the public’s active participation is also essential in ensuring market fairness and protecting consumer welfare during this period.
They say they are maintaining a heightened state of vigilance across the market, driven by their commitment to fairness and transparency.
FCCC says their primary objective is to prevent any instances of price gouging or unfair trading practices leading up to the national budget announcement.
They say their dedicated enforcement teams are engaged in comprehensive trader inspections and market surveys, meticulously monitoring both price-controlled and non-price-controlled items.
The Commission says they conducted over 11,400 inspections nationwide in the last financial year, demonstrating their proactive presence.
FCCC says their surveillance efforts are not limited to urban areas as they are also extending their focus to rural and maritime areas to ensure that consumers across all regions are protected from exploitation.
They say this holistic approach is part of their broader strategy, often conducted in collaboration with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health, Fiji Police Force, Consumer Council of Fiji , Municipal Councils, Ministry of Agriculture and Fiji Revenue and Customs Service to maximize our reach and impact.
They are warning businesses not to exploit consumers by inflating prices or engaging in unfair practices ahead of the National Budget.
They say the FCCC will apply strict enforcement measures.
FCCC further says should any traders be found unfairly altering prices in anticipation of the upcoming budget to gain an advantage at the consumers' expense, they will initiate thorough investigations.
The Commission says where sufficient evidence of a breach is found, legal action will be pursued, potentially leading to court imposed penalties.
They are reminding businesses that past breaches have resulted in significant fines, reflecting the seriousness with which FCCC views such non-compliance.
The Commission says for instance, one of their recent successful convictions where a business was fined $500 for overcharging on certain price-controlled items, which is a breach under Section 52(a) of the FCCC Act 2010.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad will deliver the 2025-2026 National Budget on the 27th of this month.
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