Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says he has asked to have a meeting with the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission CEO, Joel Abraham to ensure that effective steps are taken to ensure that people are not charged exorbitant prices.
Following questions raised by several people on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan, Professor Prasad states that he will also speak to about 7 to 8 wholesalers who deal with about 90 percent of food products coming into Fiji.
Professor Prasad says he is aware that the freight costs have drastically gone down compared to COVID-19, and it is only right that consumers pay less for goods.
On questions by people calling on FCCC to be more stringent and effective to ensure duty and tax reductions are passed down to the people, Professor Prasad says he will address this in his meeting with the FCCC CEO.
Professor Prasad says FCCC will have to play a very important role, the government will make sure that happens, and he stresses they mean business in this.
Some business analysts have said that freight costs are now just about 20 to 25 percent up from the COVID period, however this is not reflected in the prices still being charged.
Professor Prasad says they have reduced duty on some meat products and other goods but that needs to be reflected in the prices.
You can watch the full Straight Talk interview below:
