The opening of an Honorary Consulate office in Auckland by the Fijian Government is a strategic move, which will have long-term impact on diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Fiji.
The appointment of well-known businessman Harish Lodhia as the Honorary Consul is also a step in the right direction, since the incumbent will bring to the new role his business acumen, contacts, knowledge of sensitivities that rule the current diplomatic climate and promote better people-to-people relations. He would also, we are sure, use his post strategically to promote trade ties between the two countries and foster tourist traffic.
Both New Zealand and Fiji thrive on their tourism industry and a Consulate in Auckland will serve as an important bridge to connect the two countries.
Historic relations
Apart from being neighbours, relations between New Zealand and Fiji go back several decades, often punctuated by attrition, war of words and diplomatic standoffs. These have been exacerbated in recent years, especially since the first coup that occurred in 1987.
New Zealanders look to Fiji as an affordable and exciting tourist destination, with many businesses also considering it a viable investment proposition. Many say that neither of these has been adversely affected since the two governments began engaging in accusations since Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama dismissed the Laisenia Qarase Government on December 5, 2006, suspended the constitution and muzzled the press.
However, as we found during our visit to Fiji three years ago, life and business go on as usual and a majority of Fijians, including those of Indian origin appear to be either indifferent or pleased with the current government.
Economic woes
Mr Bainimarama, his ministerial colleagues and advisors are engaged in constitutional reforms, which will hopefully deliver Fiji from its political chaos and establish a strong foundation for democracy. New Zealand and India could be good examples in this process.
Politics is not the only concern of the current Government.
Fiji’s economy has been suffering from the adverse effects of the global recession, compounded by its own paucity of finance and hitherto lacklustre plans and ill-executed projects. Annual floods almost always wreak havoc, leaving people dead, and homeless.
In tackling each of these, the country’s political and economic leaders are hopeful of better financial status and better infrastructure as significant improvements are made to public utilities and amenities. Private sector partnership, including foreign direct investment is sought in the process.
Boosting tourism
Tourism remains the single largest industry and foreign exchange earner for Fiji and despite some unsavoury criticism in the Western media, the country is still a popular destination for tourists from New Zealand, Australia and beyond. As Fiji prepares to receive one million tourists by 2016, a number of challenges remain to be successfully encountered. Among these is increasing capacity of hotel rooms, improving existing facilities and incentives that are more attractive for stakeholders. Air Pacific, the national flag carrier, has to balance between improving yield and operating in an extremely competitive market, while planning new routes across the Continents. The focus is “not on the middle of the jump’ but on the place of landing.
Thawing relations
The fact that the New Zealand Government granted a visa to Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola to visit Auckland to inaugurate the Honorary Consulate on July 27 demonstrated Wellington’s changing attitude towards Fiji.
Mr Kubuabola has been in New Zealand again thereafter on transit from Singapore where he attended a meeting of Pacific Islands ministers last week.
As reported in our last (August 1) issue, he said that his Government was hopeful of improved relations with New Zealand.
He admitted that his Government faced a number of challenges, most of which related to his country’s fragile economy.
“The permission granted by New Zealand to our government to have an Honorary Consul in Auckland is an important milestone in our diplomatic relations. Fiji is keen to have friendly relations with its neighbours and New Zealand is significant in that process. We believe in engagement and not disengagement,” he said.
Return to democracy
Mr Kubuabola said that Fiji had come a long way since the events of December 2006 and that the path to democracy is being paved with ideals of proper representation of the people and a government that is efficient and service-oriented.
“Our new Constitution, drafted by a five-member Commission, will be rolled out early next year. Fiji will hold its first truly democratic elections in September 2014, with every citizen allowed to vote based on equal right and equal opportunity. We are in a transition phase and need the support of countries around the world,” he said.
According to him, as of July 26, 2012, about 257,000 citizens had enrolled in the electoral system and that the target was to reach 600,000 (of the total population of about 850,000) before the polling date.
As a part of wider public participation in parliamentary democracy, the voting age has been reduced from 21 years to 18 years, he said.
New directions
The private sector is the backbone of the Fijian economy and over the years, businesses – large, medium and small – have been reaping the benefits of growing demand for its products and services at home and abroad. But recent years have seen a slump, recovery from which needs better incentives including lower taxes, higher levels of efficiency and productivity. The public sector industry is in dire straits and may need private sector involvement for growth. Large companies continue to show resilience, while those in the medium and small-scale sector are looking for fresh opportunities.
As the Acting High Commissioner of Fiji Mere Tora said, the opening of the Honorary Consulate in Auckland would help her country in a number of ways.
“This Office would be a focal point to connect people of Fijian origin living in New Zealand’s largest city. We are still working out the type of services and information that can be provided by the Honorary Consul,” she said.
Dr Ajit Swaran Singh said that it was appropriate that Fiji opened an Honorary Consulate in Auckland, and that the decision strengthen relationship between the two countries in the long term.
Photo :
1. Fiji’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola handing over the credentials to Harish Lodhia
2. Fiji’s Acting High Commissioner Mere Tora Dr Steven Ratuva at the reception held in Auckland on July 25, 2012
3. Dr Ajit Swaran Singh speaking at the reception held on July 25, 2012 in Auckland
