European Investment Bank opens office in Fiji

THE European Investment Bank (EIB) intends to boost co-operation in the region and scale up its support for climate action after it opened its new representation office for the Pacific in Suva, Fiji.

The plaque was unveiled by EIB vice president Ambroise Fayolle at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva yesterday.

In attendance and part of the event were deputy director general for International Partnerships of the European Commission Myriam Ferran, the EU ambassador for the Pacific Sujiro Seam and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad.

The new representation office will enable EIB Global to step up its activities and further strengthen the impact of its financial and technical support for Fiji and the Pacific region.

Mr Fayolle, who oversees ElB operations in the Pacific said, “With the opening of an EIB representation office in Suva, the bank of the European Union is demonstrating its growing ambition to be closer to the people, companies and institutions of the Pacific region, and to invest more in projects there.”

New head of the EIB representation office for the Pacific Benoit Cambier said: “Opening the ElB representation office in Suva is a clear sign of our profound dedication to Fiji and the Pacific region.

“As a well-established and reliable partner, this new office will help EIB Global to boost cooperation in the region and scale up its support for climate action, including climate change adaptation and mitigation, recovery and resilience, and environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources.”

EIB Global has signed letters of intent with Energy Fiji Ltd and with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) to further extend collaboration and joint financing for the Pacific, including in the French overseas countries and territories.