Reviving plantations priority for industry

TRADE, Commerce and Industry Minister Wera Mori says the department aims to revive plantations to be managed by family units.
Mori met with department officials, staff of the Investment Promotion Authority, small to medium enterprise corporation and corporative society division last Thursday for a briefing.
He said the Alotau Accord Two focused on economy recovery as a priority.
“It is incumbent on us to make sure we have appropriate policies to stimulate investment in the country,” he said.
Mori said this idea was important because as a consequence of the demise of plantations over the last 30 to 35 years.
“The country had lost valuable revenue.
“Plantations whether it be coffee, cocoa or coconut will be managed under estate-type management,” he said.
“A plantation will be divided into portions of two or three hectares and given to family groups.
“Each family group to own one unit where we might see a plantation with 10 or 15 units.
“Other plantations with 20 or 30 units and they will come under the auspicious of a corporate society and will be managed that way with a central processing plant.
“Under this arrangement, it will be able to address many of the problems that have been faced in the past.
“They will be managed by national management companies.”