The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation is encouraging all businesses to attend the planned public consultations and make written submissions on the increase in electricity tariffs as they have received many concerns from businesses on the impact of this substantial increase.
The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced public consultations from tomorrow to next Thursday in all divisions.
FCEF CEO Edward Bernard says they will continue to push for a reduced increase rate.
He says the suspension of implementation is a welcomed update and they acknowledge FCCC for this.
Bernard says it is now important for businesses to have their views heard via attendance at the public consultations and written submissions.
On 19th December, the FCCC announced electricity tariff increase for residential customers using from 101 to above 300 kWh by an average of 4.5 percent and commercial customers will see an average increase of approximately 34.7 percent across four usage tiers.
The increased tariffs is intended to support $1.57 billion in investments (24.2 percent increased revenue) for EFL over the next four years.
Bernard says the 34.7 percent average increase for commercial users will further elevate the costs of doing business in Fiji, with likely consequences for business expansion, investment decisions, and overall competitiveness.
He further says that these pressures will be felt across all sectors, business sizes, ownership types, and geographic locations.
The CEO says this trajectory risks undermining national targets, including increasing MSME contribution to 22 percent and lifting investment to 20 percnt of GDP by 2030.
Bernard adds FCEF is collating a consolidated submission and will seek a focused audience with FCCC and make a submission on behalf of the private sector.
Meanwhile, the first phase of the public consultations will begin tomorrow in the Northern Division.
Consultations will be held at the Civic Centre in Labasa Town from 10am to 3pm tomorrow, followed by Seaqaqa Town in front of Legends Investment on Wednesday, from 10am to 3pm.
The final Northern Division consultation will take place on Thursday in Savusavu Town, in front of the Savusavu Town Council Office, from 10am to 3pm.
In the Western Division, sessions will be held at the B.L. Naidu Space in Sigatoka Town and at the FNPF Plaza in Nadi Town, both from 10am to 3pm on Wednesday.
On Thursday, consultations will take place at the New World Space in Ba Town from 10am to 3pm, while the Lautoka venue is yet to be confirmed.
On Friday, consultations will be held at the Courts Fiji and Max Value corridor in Tavua Town from 10am to 3pm, with the Rakiraki Town venue also to be confirmed.
In the Central Division, consultations will be held next Monday at MHCC Hall in Suva, in Valelevu in front of the New World Supermarket, and in Levuka Main Town, all from 10am to 3pm.
Next Tuesday, sessions will take place at Rups Mega in Nakasi and at the Police tent in front of the Max Value Supermarket in Nausori from 10am to 3pm.
The final consultations will be held next Wednesday, in Lami and Navua, with venues yet to be confirmed, from 10am to 3pm.
