Engaging the Pacific - News in brief

Leaders at the Engaging with the Pacific meeting in Natadola. From Right: Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, His Excellency the President for Kiribati Anote Tong, Grand Chief and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Sir Michael Somare, East Timor Ambassador, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua and Vanuatu’s Foreign Affairs Minister.

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HEADLINES:

1. TRADE FAIR IMPRESSES LEADERS
2. MOVE OUT OF THE PACIFIC: UNESCAP
3. TRUE FRIENDSHIP – THE PACIFIC WAY
4. LEADERS SUPPORT REGIONAL POLICE ACADEMY

News in brief:

(FRIDAY 23RD JULY, 2010 No:1102/ MOI) TRADE FAIR IMPRESSES LEADERS

The mini trade fair organised at the Engaging with the Pacific meeting of leaders at Natadola Intercontinental Resort has raised interests from visitors.

Pacific leaders toured the mini trade fair today and expressed their interests in having a few companies in their country.

Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Solo Mara said close to 40 companies are using the opportunity to explore new markets during the Natadola meet.

“We have close to 40 companies and we are helping these local companies make the most of this opportunity,” he said.

“It is not every day these Pacific island leaders get to come to Fiji and would like to help these companies get here and showcase their products

Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama said the fair was well organized.

“The trade fair looks wonderful with a varieties of products currently on display,” he said.

Most Pacific island leaders said they would like to engage in further talks of trading a wider range of products with Fiji.

Some companies at the trade fair include Telecom Fiji, Digicel, Fiji National University, Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji, Air Pacific, Tourism Fiji, Crest Chicken and Tuckers.

(FRIDAY 23RD JULY, 2010 No:1103/ MOI) MOVE OUT OF THE PACIFIC: UNESCAP

Pacific island countries must try to grow its partnership to get more economical trade says the UNESCAP representative in the Pacific, Iosefa Maiava.

He said there are many opportunities in the Asian region, which the Pacific Islands can tap into.

“ The Pacific needs to enhance strategies to grow beyond the Pacific,” he told leaders at the Engaging with the Pacific meeting at the Natadola Intercontinental Resort.

“ There are opportunities for the Pacific in the Asia Pacific region. This has been highlighted in the recent ESCAP meeting.”

He said evidence of import percentage ratings suggested that the Pacific was importing more from the Asian region than that combined together of both Australia and New Zealand.

Maiava also commended the Pacific island states for coming out of their shell and making new moves to get their voices across.

“ For the first time the Pacific island states supported three resolutions.

These were: the Pacific Urban agency, HIV/AIDS and the mid-term review of the Mauritius Strategy.

“There is a trade agreement for the Asia-Pacific and also the free trade agreement which includes countries like China and Korea,” he added

He added that the Pacific must currently try and make do with whatever is available to get things started.

“Make use of platforms that are in existance.”

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said the Pacific must make use of this opportunity.

“We need to take advantage of this opportunity as we all know of the global economic growth and the economic growth in Papua New Guinea,” he said.

“The Pacific must make sure that we don’t lose this momentum.”

Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua and Prime Minister for Tuvalu, Apisai Ielemia during a leaders discussion yesterday.

(FRIDAY 23RD JULY, 2010 No:1104/ MOI) TRUE FRIENDSHIP – THE PACIFIC WAY

His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau last night thanked all the leaders of the 12 countries present at the Engaging with the Pacific meeting saying it showed a sign of true friendship.

HE Ratu Epeli made the comments while hosting the leaders to dinner at the Natadola Intercontinental Resort.

“For us in Fiji, this is true friendship in the Pacific Way. The experience and the moment remind us all of that the old adage will always ring true that a friend in need is a friend in deed,” he said.

“It is a positive indication that you do care. It speaks volumes of your genuine desire to engage with one another.”

He added that special speakers have been invited to share with the pacific leaders a vision and the way to its fulfillment through the project ‘Pacific bridge to noble wealth’.

“Fiji as a member of our huge pacific family, would like to share through the project techniques, and more so the benefits of harnessed the huge reservoir of knowledge in our habitats and ecosystems, in the Melanesian spirit of the Pacific Way,” HE Ratu Epeli said.

“I am confident; we will learn about what needs to be done and the organization that will make that happen for us all.”

(FRIDAY 23RD JULY, 2010 No:1105/ MOI) LEADERS SUPPORT REGIONAL POLICE ACADEMY

Leaders at the Engaging with the Pacific meeting currently underway at the Natadola Intercontinental Resort are in support of the idea to establish a Regional Police Academy.

The Federated States of Micronesia was the first to moot the idea on Tuesday, which other nations showed unanimous support towards following the presentation by Fiji Police Force Commissioner, Commodore Esala Teleni to the leaders.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare last night said the idea was welcomed by PNG.

“I think this is a very good idea and it will mean engaging more of our own people than relying on Australia and New Zealand.”

“The idea of a regional peacekeeping should be a successful programme like the RAMSI. We need to have further discussions on this.”

He said action must be taken on board and he thanked Fiji for the idea, which he says should put an end to criminal activities in the region.

“We must use all available resources if we want to implement and establish such initiative,” Sir Michael Somare said.

Commodore Teleni said the concept is now to be discussed by various governments.

“The heads of polices from around the region have now established a working group,” he told the leaders.

Commodore Teleni said the commissioners and representatives from the different countries also asked Fiji to take the lead role.

“We need to look at implementing this in the next six months or it might end up on the shelf,” Commodore Teleni added.

Kiribati President His Excellency Anote Tong said he liked the idea.

“I have a talked with my police commissioner and Kiribati fully supports the idea,” HE Tong said.

For more information on Government events and decisions log onto the official Government portal www.fiji.gov.fj

ENDS

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