FIJIAN Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has welcomed Australia’s announcement to ease sanctions on kava exports.
Mr Bainimarama said the announcement by his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison would undoubtedly enrich the lives of Fijian yaqona farmers for generations to come.
“We are also committed to further deepening trade and investment with Australia and Fiji and I’m passionate about opening up new markets that will allow new agents and ambitious Fijian farmers and entrepreneurs to financial success while giving Australians access to the quality Fijian made goods,” he said.
Mr Bainimarama also called on the Australian PM to join Fiji’s efforts to battle climate change.
He also spoke about Fiji’s relationship with Australia following the events of 2006, saying the two countries have come a long way.
Mr Bainimarama acknowledged Australia’s efforts in changing its stand on Fiji.
Following yesterday’s bilateral meeting, Mr Morrison announced that Australia would work with Fiji on a comprehensive border security assistance package.
He said in the coming weeks, there would be high level delegations from Australia’s border agencies coming to Fiji to put together the details and arrangements of the border security assistance package.
Mr Morrison said through the Pacific Partnership Maritime Security Program, two patrol boats will also be given to Fiji.
He said the Australia-University of the South Pacific partnership which will be worth more than $84 million over the next six years would help boost the tertiary education.
“We live together as a family of nations in the Pacific, our interaction with each other our engagement with each other, our partnership with each other has to be done in a spirit of a family relationship and I think that is what we have been able to achieve here today (yesterday).”
Mr Morrison also said they would assist Fiji by covering the travelling cost for a Fijian team to compete in the New South Wales Rugby League Super Premiership in 2020 and that Fiji would be hosting preseason for NRL matches in 2021.
Meanwhile, Praveen’s Kava owner, Praveen Kumar welcomed the announcement on the easing of sanctions on Kava export, saying it was good news for kava dealers
