Media Releases
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fiji Sugar Sector to Benefit from Collaboration with Mauritius |
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Fiji has sought technical expertise exchange with Mauritius in the development of the sugar sector. This follows a bilateral meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Inia Seruiratu and his counterpart the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius Hon. Nandcoomar Bodha. The two Ministers met on the margins of the 9th Summit of the ACP Heads of State and Governments, held in Nairobi, Kenya from 9-10 December 2019. Minister Seruiratu said that “Mauritius is widely recognized for its successful implementation of reform policies and initiatives, leading to diversification, thus viability of its sugar industry over the years. Fiji can therefore draw lessons from the successes and experiences of Mauritius through exchange of technical know-how.” Minister Bodha said that besides producing normal sugar, Mauritius produces specialty sugar, molasses, fertilizer and rum from its cane. Furthermore, the bio-product in the form of bagasse is burned to generate electricity which, meets a third of Mauritius electricity needs. It was highlighted that sugarcane plantation also helps to prevent soil erosion along the coastal areas, which is vital for the Mauritius tourism industry. “The multifaceted benefits of sugarcane was one of the reasons behind the reclassification of the Mauritius sugar industry to the cane industry”, Minister Bodha said. Following the meeting, Fiji was invited to undertake a field visit to Mauritius to learn firsthand as to how a number of strategic policies and reforms have been implemented over the years to sustain the sugarcane industry. Mauritius also agreed to exchange technical expertise at all levels including inter alia, cane production and diversification, milling and research and development. Going forward, the officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in consultation with relevant line Ministries and agencies will work with the Mauritian authorities to bring this collaboration into fruition. |
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Several members of Public Accounts Committee of the Fijian Parliament visiting Wellington this week took advantage of a visit to the Wellington City Council’s Southern Landfill yesterday to glean a few ideas for waste management in Fiji. This included the Hon. Alexander O’Connor, Assistant Minister for Health, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, Opposition parliamentarian and Ms. Priya Chand, Parliamentary Secretary who were accompanied by the Fiji High Commission New Zealand staff.
The Southern landfill is an impressive setup particularly as it focuses on recycling and minimising the damage to the environment at the landfill.
Other remarkable features of the landfill were its gas collection, electricity regeneration, green waste mulching and water table management. The Hon. O’Connor, an engineer by profession, was particularly impressed and intends to develop a few ideas for the Fijian Government to consider.
The PAC members were invited to attend the Pacific PAC training seminar in Wellington facilitated by UNDP from the 12th to the 13th December.
The PAC members, including Deputy Chair, Hon. Mohammed Dean, MP, were hosted to afternoon tea at the Fiji Chancery. It was an opportunity for the Parliamentarians to meet the Locally Engaged Staff at the Mission and also update the staff on the work and concerns of the Public A
