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Fiji and New Zealand have explored new opportunities to increase flows of bilateral trade and investment during a meeting between Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and his New Zealand counterpart Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in London on April 19, 2018.
The Prime ministers met on the side-lines of the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) held in the British Capital on April 19 and 20.
Tapping potential
Mr Bainimarama said that there was a great deal of unrealised potential between the two countries in the arenas of trade and investment and pointed to the Fiji-NZ Business Council as an effective vehicle for greater economic exchange.
He welcomed the growth of tourism arrivals from New Zealand to Fiji last year.
In their talks, Ms Ardern pledged to take a new approach to regional cooperation, moving from simply being a donor toward becoming a more involved partner in the development of Fiji and other Pacific Island nations.
Mr Bainimarama thanked New Zealand for its continued assistance of Fiji and its Pacific neighbours in the immediate aftermath of tropical cyclones over the years.
He said that Fiji valued its relationship with New Zealand, noting the recent progress and strengthening of the bilateral relationship.
Ms Ardern reiterated New Zealand’s support to Fiji’s COP23 presidency, acknowledging that her country needs to play a bigger role in the fight against climate change. She voiced full support of restricting the average global temperature increase to within 1.5 degrees.
Mr Bainimarama briefed Ms Ardern on Fiji’s preparations for the 2018 General Elections and thanked New Zealand for its continued assistance and support in patrolling Fiji’s exclusive economic zone over the past 18 months.
Additional Reading: Our Leader, ‘Another forward step towards Fiji’ under Viewlink.
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Photo Caption:
Frank Bainimarama with Jacinda Ardern in London on April 19
(DEPTFO News and Picture)
