Bilateral relationship strengthened through master plan
“OVER the years, we had strengthened our bilateral relationship with Australia in the areas of security and defence, healthcare, education, climate change, trade and economic cooperation.” This was highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, at the signing of the Direct Funding Arrangement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Fiji for the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital Redevelopment Project recently.
“The Direct Funding Arrangement that will be signed today, with a total funding support of AU$10 million (close to FJ$14 million) will bolster Fiji’s efforts to deliver a comprehensive infrastructure master plan for the CWM Hospital.”
According to DPM Prasad Fiji had also secured US$50 million (close to FJ$117.0 million) financing from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) for investment projects relating to road renewal and resealing, bridge replacement, climate change adaptation and flood mitigation.
“The CWM Redevelopment project will be delivered in a structured way that ensures the multilateral partners like the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank can join later to provide financing support towards the implementation of the master plan,” he said.
DPM Biman added that the project marks a significant milestone in Fiji’s healthcare history as the CWM Hospital was established over 100 years ago and has lived through many of Fiji’s most challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As many health practitioners present here today will agree, the pandemic was one of the most testing times for Fiji’s health systems. While it proved the resilience and determination of our health system as well as our healthcare workers, it also highlighted critical gaps that needs urgent attention.”