Fiji Water Exports Being Blocked

Natural Waters of Viti Limited has today announced that the Fiji Islands Revenue Customs Authority has been blocking their shipping agents from being able to export their bottled water out of Fiji on multiple times since December 2007.

Village News has been informed that Natural Waters of Viti, which exports Fiji Water, has not been given any formal notification or explanation from FIRCA or other government authorities on the reason why the shipping agents have not been able to operate as they normally would.

The company based in Yaqara said as a Fijian company that represents over 15 percent of Fiji's exports, getting their product to the global market is critically important to the Fijian economy. It said each week Fiji Water is blocked from leaving the country represents 3 to 4 million dollars in lost exports to Fiji.

Natural Waters of Viti believes that FIRCA is acting on poor advice which is largely based on incorrect information and speculation of the transfer price of traded goods from Fiji. It said that it remains confident that the advice they have received from Baker McKenzie, a world class law firm who conducted a major economic study on Fiji Water's transfer price, is fair and accurate for Fiji and for all its markets, and is consistent with global practices of fair trade.

The company has revealed that it intends to pursue every option available to them, including legal action, to resolve the issue. It however stresses that Natural Waters of Viti will continue to operate its Yaqara facility and produce Fiji Water to be exported to the world.

However, Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry said the shipments are not being blocked by FIRCA as Fiji Water is not complying with all the requirements.