PM Approves $1 million to Develop Aqua Culture
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has given the approval for the use of $1million to develop aqua culture. This is for the development of fish storage around the maritime islands and to buy solar powered refrigeration.
The funding is sourced from the technical assistance and through the United States of America Tuna Funding initiative. Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau said the funding came from the numerous collaborations he had with the USA Embassy in Suva.
He highlighted this during a traditional farewell ceremony for outgoing USA ambassador to Fiji Judith Cefkin, who was hosted by the Ministry for Fisheries staff.
“This is almost a million dollars which we use for our development funds that is for the development of fisheries around Fiji,” he said. Mr Koroilavesau said the USA assistance has been forthcoming over the years.
“Since the ministry had established itself as a separate ministry there seems to be a clear demarcation of the funding that the US have been providing for us,” he said.
Mr said they decided to present a traditional farewell ceremony and gift to the outgoing Ms Cefkin who has worked alongside the ministry during his term as the minister for the past 13 months.
Ms Cefkin acknowledged the farewell event and said she would miss the Fijian people with its warmth and beautiful culture. She could not confirm who the next US ambassador to Fiji would, but that a team from Washington in the USA was looking into it. “We look forward to continuing the cooperation that the USA has with fisheries and also put a lot of focus in building security cooperation between the USA military and the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF).
“This willalso be for the Fiji Police Force that has aspirations to increase participation in international peacekeeping.” Ms Cefkin said the USA would be looking forward and watching with great interest this year’s General Election which will be important for Fiji.