The Fiji Consumers Association (FCA) is a non-profit, voluntary civil society group in the Fiji Islands. The association is registered under Fiji's Charitable Trust Act and is principally based in Suva, Fiji's capital city. The FCA is the only non-government and voluntary consumer organisation in Fiji, and actively participates in activities of the consumer movement in Fiji under the leadership of the statutory consumer agency - Consumer Council of Fiji.

Office bearers

• Subhash Appana - president. Appana is an academic based at the University of the South Pacific. Appana is also a well-known political commentator and regular contributor to the local newspaper columns in Fiji.
• Mr Paras Sukul - secretary. Mr Sukul is the association's longest serving officer and is the principal contact persons of the association. He was formerly one of the founding members of Nasinu Town Council, Fiji's largest municipality in terms of residential population.
• Mr Baij Maharaj - treasurer. Mr Maharaj is a career banker and former executive of the Fiji Housing Authority.
• Other executive committee members are: Mr Francis Waqa Sokonibogi, Ms Basant Swann and Mr Manoa Taletawa.

Aims and objectives

The principal aim of the association, as outlined in its constitution, is: to collect and disseminate information of benefit to consumers; and in doing so to advance the interests of its subscribing members and those of consumers generally.

Objectives The objectives of the association shall be as follows :-

a) To carry out, commission or promote research, testing and investigation into matters of consumers interest and concern; and to disseminate and resulting information, advice and warnings, including publication of reports, magazines, pamphlets, boos and any other communications.

(b) To improve and maintain the standards of goods and commodities sold, and service rendered to the public.

(c) To persuade the Government and the trading community to make such changes to the laws and practices of the marketplace as will remove disadvantages suffered by consumers and promote better and more just treatment of consumers.

(d) To promote and advance public knowledge of matters affecting consumers, and also the education of consumers of all ages.

(e) To continue to apply the basic principles of its antecedent body on impartiality, independence and avoidance of conflict of interests.

(f) To liaise with and assist other organizations in Fiji and overseas in the pursuit of the objects of the association.

(g) To develop and maintain a collection of library materials relating to consumer matters.

(h) To provide such amenities, services, and facilities for association members and consumers as the executive committee thinks fit, whether of a trading, commercial or of personal nature.

(i) To trade or carry on any type of commercial, financial or business activities with the purpose of generating funds only for the furtherance of its aims and objects.

(j) To do all those things which may lawfully be done, and which in the opinion of the executive committee are for the direct or indirect benefit of the association members and Consumers generally, or are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the foregoing objects.

References