Fiji Government settles dispute with bottled water companies

The standoff between the government and bottled water companies came to an end last night.

The bottled water industry had seized operations after cabinet approved 20 cents per liter excise and 20 cents per liter export tax from the first of this month.

A statement last night said various bottled water companies reached an amicable solution with the government and all shipments of water within Fiji and to export markets have immediately commenced.

The water companies include Fiji Water, VTY, Island Chill, Aqua Pacific, Aqua Safe and VITIBLU.

The statement signed by Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum on behalf of the government and the president of the Fiji Bottled Water Institute Warwick Pleass says the government has repealed the taxes and discussions between the bottled water companies and the government will commence.

It says the discussions are to find the appropriate compensation to be paid to the government by the bottled water companies.

The compensation will be based on inter alia, global bench marks and financial circumstances surrounding the operations of bottled water companies.

Yesterday Fiji’s biggest bottled water exporter Natural Waters of Viti Limited – Fiji Water ceased operations sending more then 420 workers home.

However, work is expected to commence as normal today.

The statement says the bottlers and the government look forward to working together to reach a mutually agreeable solution.