Terming the garment industry as the mainstay of manufacturing sector, Fiji Export Council CEO, Jone Cavubati, said the sector has registered a healthy growth over the year and has become more organised and consistent in approach with time. He further said, the sector was strengthened by the fact that the garment industry is one of the biggest contributors in generating employment in the country. Referring to the factories, established with an investment of $10 million in Lautoka, Cavubati said, such heavy investments in the garment industry are clearly indicative of growth and the expansion the sector is witnessing across the country.

Bullish on exports, the CEO said, they are doing good in this area and can expand further since they have an advantage over other Asian countries. He further stated that big Asian players in the sector such as China are bulk manufacturers, while a country like Fiji can meet small requirements of other countries. He also asserted that it is true that Australia and New Zealand were Fiji’s competitors, but serve as its main markets too. He was apprehensive about the increase in cost of manufacturing that is a big hindrance in the way business is conducted.