Fiji shares lessons from managing the fuel crisis

Fiji is sharing its approach to the recent international fuel crisis with energy regulators across the Pacific.

Senikavika Jiuta, chief executive of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, said Fiji had to protect consumers from sudden price increases while ensuring that fuel supplies continued. The commission used a price-smoothing system to reduce the immediate effect of higher international prices on consumers and businesses.

Jiuta said the system gave households and companies time to adjust. It also allowed fuel suppliers to continue securing supplies during the crisis.

She said communication with fuel companies, consumers, the government and other stakeholders was equally important. Fiji presented these lessons at the OPERA conference in Brisbane, where Pacific regulators discussed ways to respond to major economic shocks and prepare for future fuel and economic crises.