- KIRIBATI SENDS WELL WISHES FOR INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS – The President of Kiribati H.E Anote Tong has extended well wishes to Fiji on the celebrations of her 43rd Independence Day anniversary.
- FIJI AND INDIA LOOK TO BOOST COOPERATION ON AGRICULTURE – The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Inia Seruiratu met this month with his counterpart from India to look at ways of boosting cooperation between the two countries in the agriculture sector.
- YOUTH MINISTER REMINDS STUDENTS ON VALUE OF EDUCATION AT INDEPENDENCE FETE – The Minister for Youth and Sports, Viliame Naupoto yesterday reminded the youth of Fiji to recognise the value of education.
1 KIRIBATI SENDS WELL WISHES FOR INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS
The President of Kiribati H.E Anote Tong has extended well wishes to Fiji on the celebrations of her 43rd Independence Day anniversary.
In his message to Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, President Tong said “on behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Kiribati and on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to convey warmest greetings and congratulations to you, the Government and the people of the Republic of Fiji on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of Fiji’s Independence Day”.
His Excellency also pointed out the growth in relations over the years between the two island nations.
“Our two countries have continued to enjoy close, warm and friendly relations over the years based on our shared values, aspirations and challenges as Pacific Small Island Developing States”.
“Let me acknowledge with gratitude on this occasion your government’s continued commitment to further strengthening closer cooperation with Kiribati at the bilateral, regional and international levels”.
“Please accept, Excellency, our traditional blessing of Te Mauri, Te Raoi ao Te Tabomoa on this special occasion and the assurances of my highest consideration.
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2 FIJI AND INDIA LOOK TO BOOST COOPERATION ON AGRICULTURE
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Inia Seruiratu met this month with his counterpart from India to look at ways of boosting cooperation between the two countries in the agriculture sector.
Minister Seruiratu met the Hon Minister for Agriculture & Food Processing Industry, Shri Sharad Pawar at the Krishi Bhavan in India.
Minister Seruiratu conveyed Government’s congratulatory remarks on the Gandhi Jayanti, a celebration marking the birth of Mahatma Ghandi. At the same time, he provided a brief on Fiji’s Constitution and provisions for 2014 Democratic Elections. He also briefed the Minister on the shortage of expertise in some parts of Fiji’s agriculture sector and requested for an agronomist, veterinary specialist, and agricultural scientists to be deployed to Fiji through bilateral arrangements. He further stated that Fiji has just hosted the Commonwealth Veterinary Association meeting in Fiji and was pleased to have met Dr Abdul Rahman from Bangalore, India.
The Minister also expressed his interest to visit the Coconut Farms and associated industries in India as his Ministry is working hard to revive and grow the coconut industry with plans to commercialise at a larger volume.
In his welcome remarks, Minister Pawar congratulated the Fijian Government on the newly promulgated Fiji Constitution and conveyed well wishes for the 2014 elections. The Minister further made reference to the previous visit by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in 2012 and stated that India had agreed to continue to assist Fiji in its development phases.
Minister Pawar stated that India stood ready to support Fiji in all areas such as;
- Offer Rice scientist to rice cultivation
- Research for cultivation of Potatoes
- Dairy industry
- Agricultural Research
- Exchange of Resource Personal where Fiji could send people for training and development in India
- Fiji could request for Technical Expertise through International Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program.
- Coconut Industry
Minister Pawar assured the Minister that the Indian Government is willing to assist Fiji and suggested that Fiji submits a written proposal detailing requirements on specific areas of studies to his Ministry through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Minister Seruiratu was accompanied by Fiji’s resident High Commissioner in India, H.E. Mr. Yogesh Karan, the Permanent Secretary for Rural Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Mr. Filipe Alifereti, DPS Agriculture, Mr Uraia Waibuta and Second Secretary, Mr Om Goundar.
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3 YOUTH MINISTER REMINDS STUDENTS ON VALUE OF EDUCATION AT INDEPENDENCE FETE
The Minister for Youth and Sports Viliame Naupoto yesterday reminded the youth of Fiji to recognise the value of education.
Officiating at the Fiji Celebrations in the western division yesterday, the Minister told students and youth who gathered at the event that Government was fully committed to the growth and development of Fiji’s youth.
“Like any 43 year old, we have developed our wisdom,” the Minister said as he referred to Fiji’s 43 years of independence.
“We are now wise enough to understand that our differences, be it racial, religious or otherwise is not a barrier but a blessing that we should embrace,” he said.
“We are wise enough to recognise that our youth are the energy of our nation and that they can vote at the age of 18 and have their voices heard in the running of our nation.”
Meanwhile, crowds turned up at both Labasa and Lautoka yesterday to celebrate Fiji’s independence anniversary.
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