1 Dec 2010

Fiji regime says Fiji Water reopening shows stability

1:30 pm on 1 December 2010

Fiji's interim government says Fiji Water's re-opening today shows there is stability for investors in Fiji.

The United States company has started operating again two days after annnouncing it would close its plant, put on hold aid projects and lay off 400 workers following the regime's massive tax hike on its bottled water.

The permanent secretary for information, Sharon Smith-Johns, says Fiji Water's lawyers met the interim prime minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama and the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum last night and the company has agreed to comply with the new tax.

"The government is very pleased that Fiji Water has decided to come back on board and show its commitment to Fiji and to the people. I think it also demonstrates that there is stability here for investors so the government is very encouraged by it."

Spokesperson for Fiji's interim government, Sharon Smith-Johns.

Fiji Water is refusing to comment further on its decision to re-open.