Australia reaffirms commitment to vuvale cooperation
In light of economic challenges brought by COVID-19, Australia has shown increased interest in supporting economic activities in Fiji’s business and agricultural sectors through the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership.
This was conveyed by the Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, John Feakes, in a recent interview with the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Australia and Fiji engagements.
Mr Feakes said there had been preliminary discussions with business and manufacturing industries around diversification and potential partnerships.
“I think the manufacturing sector, in the wake of COVID-19, has seen people looking to diversify their supply chains and Fiji with one of the only manufacturing sectors within the Pacific is well placed there.
“I had a number of virtual discussions with the Fiji Australia Business Council - one which was chaired by the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
“There is interest on part of the Australian business community that operates in Fiji. And the Australian business community that is resident in Australia and has invested in Fiji is looking for opportunities and I hope that some of those come to fruition,” Mr Feakes said. He said Australia was working closely with the Fijian Government on mapping a way forward to revive Fiji’s tourism industry.
“Tourism remains critically important and our focus in the immediate will be on establishing the arrangements that can allow the Australian tourists to visit Fiji, as in the past some 350,000 Australian tourists visited Fiji each year and we’re looking to get those tourists back as quickly as we can but it will take some time,” Mr Feakes added. In commending Fiji’s momentum on climate change adaptation and oceans preservation as a key priority for Fiji, Mr Feakes commended Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s leadership on this issue “not only in this region but internationally and it’s been to the enormous efforts that the Fijian Government has addressed the climate change agenda so effectively both internationally and in the region and we salute his leadership on the issue.” Mr Feakes conveyed his sincere appreciation also to the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its prompt assistance and partnership with the Australian High Commission in Fiji.
“The role that this Ministry has played in the improvement and development of the bilateral relationship, it has been huge and I salute the whole ministry. In every field Australians and Fijians work together and there are obvious ones like defence, sports and education among others,” he said.
“My posting here has been the highlight of my career. I have enjoyed every moment of it because of the Fijians – it has been a unique experience and I have been welcomed here with open arms, which I didn’t expect and I hope that I have made some impact here.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the role that the large and respected Fijian diaspora in Australia has made to Australia’s development. The vibrancy of the Australian community, whether it’s in Parliament or business or academics or musicians and of course the many sports stars. I would like to thank the people of Fiji and Government of Fiji for the welcome they have given me and for making this the best two-and-a-half years of my career,” Mr Feakes said.