There is no room for corruption in the mahogany industry.
These were the sentiments of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama as he handed out 13 new mahogany licenses.
Bainimarama says that this was an industry that was suffering eight years ago and gone are the days of mahogany licenses being granted under the table or through unethical means.
Mahogany licenses were introduced in June 2011 and ten license holders were issued licenses during that period to April 2014.
The Prime Minister revealed that the reform process implemented in 2010 saw the Fiji Hardwood Corporation Limited reducing its debt from $20 million that was owed in 2008 to about $6 million now.
Meanwhile, Director of Southern Forest Products Krishneel Sharma says that this 5 year license will greatly benefit local companies as mahogany is a sustainable product.
There are 14 Mahogany Stations located around the country, 8 in Viti Levu and 6 in Vanua Levu.
