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The Levuka-based Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO) has signed a partnership agreement with North America’s largest canned seafood company for another three years.
PAFCO’s Deputy Board Chairman, Swani Maharaj said the partnership with California’s Bumble Bee Foods LLC is continued from 1998, which has been extended by a 3-year period since then.
“This is a promising future for PAFCO and it will help maintain a future for the neighbouring islands since a lot of families are solely dependent on the fisheries industry,” said Maharaj.
Bumble Bee Foods LLC will also increase its capital contribution towards PAFCO by allocating more technology to the factory.
“It is very competitive in the global market, and with this partnership, we are looking at increasing the productivity level and making the industry very profitable with reduced labour costs,” said Maharaj.
The fisheries industry provides more than 700 jobs to the people of Ovalau, and Maharaj added the fish industry was a stable business since it the availability of a market and resources.
Bumble Bee Foods LLC, executive vice-president, Douglas Hines said PAFCO had gained the support since their partnership.
“We are a big supporter of the fisheries industries and we will also try to promote sustainability. The broader view of this venture is that it will help improve the productivity level,” said Hines.
