Right: Tate & Lyle Sugars Limited Internationa Relations Officer, Simon Gibbons unveils a plaque to signify the tie between the two companies. Photo: RAEVENN BREEN
By RAEVENN BREEN
The Fiji Sugar Corporation held a short yet detailed ceremony to commemorate the strong bonds between the company and Tate & Lyle Sugars Ltd, based in England.
The event saw the International Relations Officer of Tate and Lyle Sugars, Simon Gibbons, planting a rare Dakua tree.
In light of this, a plaque set in stone, was laid on the landmark signifying the hopeful permanent relationship between the two companies.
“The crop has started very well, and you [FSC] are performing to very high standards,” Mr Gibbons said.
“Things are starting to happen for the industry and we are grateful to the Fijian Government, the FSC and the sugar industry to be present here.
“We are buying sugar from Fiji at a 40 per cent higher price than the international price for sugar, which is really something.
“We hope our ties can continue longer than the lives of these trees which will remain a symbol of our partnership, and friendship”.
The trees had been kindly donated by the Ministry for Agriculture, as the Dakua and Sandalwood trees that were given are a rare species of tree on the island.