FM Commends Julia Tijaja's Performance In Trade

Foreign Minister Commends Julia Tijaja's High Performance In Extrenal Trade

Minister of Foreign Affairs, External Trade and Immigration Patterson Oti last night highly commended Julia Tijaja for her exceptional performance with Solomon Islands government in the area of external trade.

Ms Tijaja of Indonesia joined the External Trade Division as the Trade Policy Analyst for the last two years.

Mr Oti said Julia has worked on many challenging trade related issues facing the Solomon Islands for the last two difficult years where trade has been and will continue to be in the forefront of global, sub regional and at multi-level debate.

"Julia has become essentially an integral part of the Trade Division as well as a very close friend to all of us.

"The commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism she has displayed in the conduct of her duties are outstanding.

"I am sure that all of us that have worked with Julia will agree with me or vouch for that," Mr Oti said.

Julia's two years contribution to the people and Government of the Solomon Islands was categorized into four areas.

Within the External Trade Division, Mr Oti said Julia's advice is of the highest quality and professionalism.

"Your efforts in trying to impart the necessary knowledge and skills to your counterparts in the Trade Division have been remarkable.

"I am fully aware of the high level of professionalism and work behavior you have instilled in the minds of my staff, especially those whom you have daily demonstrated the high performance of duties that earned the Trade Division new heights of achievements," Mr Oti said.

At the inter-agency, Julia was heavily involved in trying to get the relevant government departments informed on trade issues at the national and regional levels and the need to cooperate to develop the country's positions.

"There is still a lot of work to be done at this front but the work you began is a good start," Oti said.
At the private sector level, representatives of the private sector have also expressed great appreciation on the way Julia have endeavored to get them involved in ensuring their interests are taken into consideration when forming Solomon Islands position at both regional and multilateral trade negotiations.

The Minister said Julia's efforts in ensuring the timely and well argued nature of the country's delegation briefings in regional meetings and other trade related issues that Solomon Islands was required to comment on has also been outstanding.

He said many regional country colleagues have commented on the unwavering commitment and position Julia often took when she represented Solomon Islands in regional meetings.

Julia during her time was also actively involved in developing the Integrated Framework (IF) for Solomon Islands in relation to external trade issues.

In recognition of her outstanding performances and in depth knowledge of Solomon Islands trade development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has nominated her to be the Solomon Islands Diagnostic Trade Integrated Study Team Leader for the next phase of the Integrated Framework Project.

"You have indeed left your mark in the Solomon Islands and the commitment and passion you have towards your work is a challenge to our young people in the Ministry and most especially within the External Trade Division," Mr Oti remarked.

She was placed by Daniel Hetherington who officially resumed duty on August 27.

Julia will depart Solomon Islands on September1

"t will be very difficult for me to say goodbye to the Hapi Isles, the Pacific and Solomon Islands especially, will always have a special place in my heart," she said.

ENDS

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