AUSTRALIA’S latest announcements on bilateral trade opportunities and assistance are certainly going to be met with a lot of interest.
From the outset, it’s bound to raise positive reactions.
Who wouldn’t want investment and trade opportunities anyway?
Such a massive injection would send off positive ripple effects across the nation.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday welcomed Australia’s announcement to ease sanctions on kava exports for starters.
The announcement by his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison, he said, would enrich the lives of Fijian yaqona farmers for generations to come.
Initiatives targeting economic advancement between Fiji and Australia were on the table when the two leaders met yesterday in Suva.
They labelled it a fruitful meeting.
Major initiatives announced included: Fiji’s inclusion in the Pacific Labour Scheme; $17.1 million investment to send 3000 hours of Australian television content into the Pacific over the next three years to Pacific broadcasters; $84m education partnership with the University of the South Pacific to lift teaching standards; Australia would cover travelling cost for a Fijian team to compete in the New South Wales Rugby League Super Premiership in 2020 and Fiji would be hosting preseason for NRL matches in 2021; and Australia would assist Fiji on a comprehensive border security assistance package.
Mr Bainimarama said he was passionate about opening up new markets that would “allow new agents and ambitious Fijian farmers and entrepreneurs to financial success while giving Australians access to the quality Fijian made goods”.
The Fiji Australia Business Council welcomed Mr Morrison to the country.
The council’s president Lisa Apted said it was a significant event in the enduring tapestry woven over more than 100 years by the two countries.
Mr Morrison touched on the spirit of family.
“We are a family (vuvale), so we come here today (yesterday) in the spirit of family and thank you for the tremendously warm welcome that you have given us today (yesterday),” he said.
In the face of yesterday’s event, the Social Democratic Liberal Party presented a petition to the President, Jioji Konrote, to convene a special parliamentary session to give the Australian PM the opportunity to address Fijians.
Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka said it was vital for the Government to provide an update of Fiji-Australia bilateral relations.
It seems this latest renewal of trade ties between Australia and Fiji is set to create positive vibes.
Given the exciting scenarios, some would question the timing and obvious enthusiasm to incorporate change.
The bottom line though is that positive change is good for Fiji.
How this all translates to positively making a difference on the ground will no doubt be keenly anticipated.
Aside from the issue of transparency, there will be interest on the impact it will have on the people and the percentage that benefits from the initiatives.
Sceptics will insist the future certainly looks bright from the outset.
