Australia will fund the construction of a Maritime Essential Services Centre (MESC) in Fiji. The announcement came in the wake of a virtual meeting between Defence Minister of Australia and Defence Minister of Fiji yesterday.
Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and her Fijian counterpart Inia Seruiratu discussed new ways to progress maritime security co-operation in the region and agreed that Australia would fund the construction of the MESC in Fiji.
Ms Reynolds said Australia was “pleased to be able to support this important investment in critical infrastructure in Fiji”.
“Australia is committed to funding both the design and construction of the MESC, which will incorporate the Republic of Fiji Navy headquarters, the Fiji Maritime Surveillance and Rescue Coordination Centre, Coastal Radio and Fiji’s Navy Hydrographic Service,” Ms Reynolds said.
“The new centre will greatly facilitate maritime security co-ordination within Fiji and throughout the region.”
Mr Seruiratu welcomed the timely announcement.
“As with the works at the Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Camp and the Stanley Brown Wharf, the MESC project will have a positive economic dividend and generate jobs,” he said.
