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FIJI TRADE VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND |
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By Ruci Farrell |
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Fiji's Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Kaliopate Tavola's recent goodwill visit to New Zealand proved to be a valuable breakthrough in thawing international relations between the two countries.
It is now almost two years to the day when George Speight and his bandits forced Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and his Cabinet into captivity. At the time, Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff in NZ's Labour Government was particularly critical of the unlawful takeover of Fiji's Labour government.
Fiji's envoy to NZ at the time High Commissioner Isimeli Bainimara bore the brunt of that freeze up when Goff left him waiting outside the corridors in the Beehive for some hours.
But as protocol demands, Mr Goff was cordial when he received Mr Tavola and his delegation from the Fiji Trades and Investment Board in Wellington in April this year.
With the pleasantries over and smart sanctions lifted in December, New Zealand is yet to be convinced of PM Qaraseís
commitment to a full return to Constitutionality.
We welcome the fact that Fiji had free and fair elections. We welcome the fact that stability has returned to Fiji, Mr Goff said from Wellington.
We are still waiting on the final outcome to resolve the constitutional issue. But PM Qarase has made it absolutely clear that when the legal options are exhausted that whatever the decision of the courts that decision will be upheld. "We are very confident that will happen," he said.
Mr Goff admits it was not a pleasant experience for New Zealand to take the actions it did against Fiji in the aftermath of the coup, but relations are moving back to the normal, friendly, neighborly relationship we had with Fiji.
Fiji is a critical country for NZ in the Pacific. It has the size and energy that enables it to be a Pacific leader, Mr Goff said.
Mr Tavola and his delegation delivered a positive package to the
business and political fraternity in Wellington, Christchurch and
Auckland which included an update on the political situation and
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Major dalo exporters from Fiji, Waisali Farms Produce Ltd's Vitinia Foy, Bobby Kumaran of Tropical Fresh Ltd and Sam Foy.
(Photo: Ruci Farrell)
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Auckland businessman Ahmed Bhamji, Fiji High Commissioner - Bal Ram and deputy Governor of Fiji's Reserve Bank - Sada Reddy.
(Photo: Ruci Farrell)
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Business Consultant - Nancy Sheehan, landscaper - Isaia Vakaruru & Waqa - a senior manger of Sanford.
(Photo: Ruci Farrell) |
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details on how Fiji's economy survived adversity in the aftermath of the May 2000 coup.
In Auckland he was the main guest of the New Zealand Fiji Business Council and the South Pacific Trade Commission.
Exports from New Zealand to Fiji increased from $165 million in 1995 to more than $200 million in the year just completed. Fiji's exports to New Zealand remained stable at $60 million annually.
New Zealand and Fiji Business Council executive Francis Mortimer told the Auckland business luncheon there were increases in the export of food and beverage products, machinery, metals and building products from NZ to Fiji.
"NZ also generates good revenue from the export of services to Fiji particularly in the areas of building and construction and other large scale infrastructure projects in sectors such as roading, ports and water supply," Mr Mortimer said.
It's pleasing to note that there is likely to be developments in the coming year for the construction industry of more than a billion dollars; that's a huge amount of opportunity.
Mr Mortimer cited the Novotel Resort in Nadi of around $66 million, 250 rooms in a hotel in Momi Bay at $6m, a resort by the Bounty Island Resort people in Nadi Bay at around $42m, the renovation of the grand old Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva of $30m. There was also the mention of the construction of an $8m sweet biscuit factory.
"The Fiji market is a relatively easy market for New Zealand due to its proximity and size and the main business language is English," Mr Mortimer said.
"Many NZ businesses have set up operations in Fiji, for example the apparel industry, professional services and construction. Fiji has a number of investment incentives available to these industries."
Mr Mortimer said it was trade delegations such as this that would help foster trade between the two countries and improve investor confidence.
"Your success in achieving this will impact on all of our futures."
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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