2:58 AM |
Mr. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Anti-Corruption, Public Enterprises, Industry, Tourism, Trade and Communications
Address at the Sino-Fiji Workshop
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Holiday Inn, SUVA
· His Excellency Mr. Jiang Zengwei [ "Jzang Zan Way"] Vice Minister for Commerce of the People's Republic of China
· His Excellency, Dr. Han Zhiqiang ["Hun Ji-chian"] Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Fiji
· Mr Liu Meikun ["Liu May-Kwen"], Vice President for the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery and Electronic Products
· Members of the Chinese Delegation
· Distinguished Guests
· Ladies and Gentlemen
I am delighted this morning to welcome the Honorable Vice Minister for Commerce for the People's Republic of China Mr. Jiang Zhiqiang ["Jzang Zan Way"] and his Delegation.
Mr. Minister Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Ni-How and welcome to Fiji.
Your presence today Mr. Minister is a testament to the enduring relationship between Fiji and the People's Republic of China.
In 1975 Fiji was the first Pacific Island Country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Since 1975 our relationship has been nurtured and grown not only through diplomacy and respect for each other's sovereignty but also through our growing ties in the areas of military training, trade, finance, infrastructure development and economic initiatives.
We of course recognize China's phenomenal growth since then to become a major world economic and political power force. No doubt its meteoric rise has been precipitated not just through perseverance and hard work, but through a vision.
The vision by the Chinese Leaders and their planning for the future has culminated into what we see today - An economic powerhouse. The Chinese leaders had the vision to think outside the box and make paradigm shifts without compromising China's sovereignty and independence - A lesson for all.
Mr. Minister, our Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama and his Government also have a vision to make Fiji realize its true potential – a potential that can become a reality through building a strong nation state and a liberalized economy for the benefit of the people of Fiji.
In this respect, we believe investment by the private sector shall be the driving force. Government's role is to be the facilitator – to be the facilitator through bi-lateral agreements, by providing infrastructure development and getting stakeholders together.
Of course at this particular juncture of the World economy creating a conducive investment climate is a challenge. It is during this challenging times Mr. Minister you are visiting us.
Mr. Minister your visit is timely. Your visit demonstrates that we must not be deterred by challenging times. In fact, it is during such times we can seize the best opportunities, encourage investment and plan for the future.
Mr. Minister your visit and your accompanying delegation creates investment and investor confidence. A delegation of this size is also inspiring.
We know that China has a lot to offer. She has the knowledge base, advancement in technology and trade expertise, amongst other things.
Fiji I know Mr. Minister is comparatively very small, but Fiji has a lot to offer, also.
We offer opportunities – the opportunities to form partnerships with our business houses, our entrepreneurs; we offer a conducive investment environment, ranging from attractive tax incentives to a readily employable work force.
Fiji also is in the hub of the South Pacific. We are strategically located to markets in Australia, New Zealand and those on the rim of the Pacific.
Infrastructure wise, Fiji is the most developed amongst the Southern Pacific island nations.
Most if not all the international and regional organizations are head quartered in Fiji.
Mr. Minister and Ladies and Gentlemen what is key is that the Fijian Government under Commodore Bainimarama is engaged in thinking outside the box, in liberalizing the economy to unleash the enormous potential that Fiji has to offer for the mutual benefit of the Fijian people and her trading partners.
This workshop today will provide the delegation to explore these opportunities. It will also allow the delegation to meet our entrepreneurs, our policy makers and our approval agencies. It will assist you to understand in detail what is available in the Fijian market.
Of course in turn we will have the opportunity to meet members of your delegation, hear from them, what they would like to offer Fiji and learn about their investment proposals.
Such co-operation between countries that seek opportunities for mutual benefit while respecting the individual governments is important to engender trust and true friendships.
We Fijians look forward to further building and strengthening our relationship with the Chinese for mutual prosperity and an enduring relationship.
Vinaka Vakalevu. Xie Xie ["Shay Shay"].
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pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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