CIDCA aims to enhance support for Fiji
CHINA International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) aims to increase support for Fiji’s socioeconomic development priorities in vital sectors such as health, education, agriculture and fisheries, trade and investment.
The CIDCA, which is the major foreign aid and international development implementation agency of the People’s Republic of China, support was reaffirmed recently at a courtesy call paid by the CIDCA chairman, Luo Zhaohui to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs permanent secretary, Dr Lesikimacuata Korovavala.
The Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, Zhou Jian was also part of the discussions held at Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters.
The visit by the Chairman of CIDCA aimed to implement the important consensus reached between the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping and the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sitiveni Rabuka during their historic meeting in San Francisco, and to exchange ideas on deepening development cooperation between China and Fiji. Mr Korovavala acknowledged the new level of cooperation and commitment by CIDCA to support Fiji’s development priorities.
He underscored the focus on development and poverty alleviation within Fiji’s priorities whereby he referenced to China’s own journey in these areas as a reference for poverty alleviation initiatives.
There was general consensus on the priority areas, scope of assistance and due processes through the UN system to access the development assistance.
He said the Fiji-China cooperation underscored through the cooperation framework, provides opportunities for Fiji’s economic and social development and to improve the livelihood of our local communities.
As part of the elevated cooperation, the Meeting Minutes on Strengthening Development Cooperation and a Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Cooperation in Agriculture and Juncao Technology will be signed between the CIDCA and the Government of Fiji.
CIDCA and Fiji had last year signed an Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation of RMB 50 million yen (approx. FJ$16million) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Strengthening Development Cooperation and Promoting Implementation of the Global Development Initiative. In his response, Mr Luo stressed that China will continue to provide development assistance to Fiji according to the needs of the Government of Fiji and its people.
He said the CIDCA visit was the latest effort by China to build a community with a shared future and practical cooperation for China and Fiji, and Pacific Island Countries.
Fiji and the PRC established diplomatic relations in 1975 and continue to share an enduring relationship, with mutual cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Development Initiative (GDI) which has paved the way for cultural and people to people exchanges, empowerment of communities, socio-economic development, trade and connectivity.