The Australian High Commissioner to Fiji James Batley had warned that Fiji may lose preferential entry of its garment exports into the Australian market. He said only full compliance by the Fiji textile industry to conditions imposed by Canberra would enable Fiji garments duty free entry. Some Fijian companies withheld records, and if that continued, Fiji exporters would lose the new tax concessions it enjoyed.

The managing director of Ranjeet Garments, Kalpesh Solanki said that greater awareness of conditions imposed on garment exports is needed if Fiji is to maximize preferential exports to Australia. Mr Solanki said the problem was not deliberate as there was the likelihood of financial or time constraints that some local players could not meet that led to the problem. He said an increased awareness program would lead the other local players to add to the employment level and increase investment.

The managing director, of Mark One Apparel, Mr. Mark Hallabe said that failure of some local players to adhere to the conditions laid down by Australia could affect the industry, including those who were taking advantage of the scheme. He said all members of the industry should comply to this conditions from Australia. It is important to note that Australia has announced it will cut Rules of Origin for garments under SPARTECA from 50% to 25%.