FIJI and New Zealand biosecurity officials are expected to meet next month to hold bilateral discussions on border control in the two countries.

New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries Fresh Produce Imports Pacific Market Access senior adviser Nacanieli Waqa said the meeting was also expected to include negotiations between the two countries.

“There will be a bilateral engagement between the two countries in the first week of October and through this platform we will sit down to discuss and negotiate on how we can enhance and improve the trading of our commodities between the two countries,” he said.

He said in past meetings, the two countries had been able to reach an agreement when addressing a border security issue with New Zealand even providing technical support to Fiji.

“The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji has proactively taken on board some of the mitigation measures that came out as a result of our bilateral and ongoing engagements.”

“Whenever an issue comes up we always negotiate and discuss through that platform.

“Because of the fresh produce and trade, there are always risks.

“It is the biosecurity endeavour to always resolve those issues and risks as soon as arise.

“As a result, we’ve engaged very closely with our Fiji counterparts and we have managed to resolve most of the concerns or problems that come up in terms of exports and imports of fresh produce.”