Update: 6:04PM KEY government agencies and stakeholders converged in Nadi today to take part in the inaugural Rural Development Symposium to provide their valuable input in the development of this policy.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, National Disaster Management and Meteorological Services, Meleti Bainimarama said the objective is brainstorm, get ideas and views from stakeholders on how they could better serve the rural population.
“Out of this symposium, we need to get a clear direction on what other ministries’ roles are in rural development. At the end of the two days we will come up with a draft and a communique,” Mr Bainimarama said.
The symposium was opened by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Fiji, Qian Bo who said the first of its kind meeting showcased the importance that the Fijian Government attached to rural development.
“China’s assistance has made positive contributions to Fijian people’s well-being as well as the social and economic development in rural areas,” Mr Qian said.
He said rural development would continue to be an important area for bilateral cooperation between Fiji and China.
