Fiji has sought technical expertise exchange with Mauritius in the development of the Sugar sector.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius Nandcoomar Bodha have committed to work together in this area after a bilateral meeting.
Seruiratu says Fiji can draw lessons from the successes and experiences of Mauritius through an exchange of technical know-how.
He says this is because Mauritius is widely recognized for its successful implementation of reform policies and initiatives, leading to diversification, thus the viability of its sugar industry over the years.
Bodha says besides producing normal sugar, Mauritius produces speciality sugar, molasses, fertilizer and rum from its cane.
He says the bio-product in the form of bagasse is burned to generate electricity which meets a third of Mauritius electricity needs.
Bodha says multifaceted benefits of sugarcane was one of the reasons behind the reclassification of the Mauritius sugar industry to the cane industry.
Mauritius also agreed to exchange technical expertise at all levels including cane production and diversification, milling and research and development.
