Fiji- South Africa Bilateral Talks Positive

The prospects of Fiji emerging in diplomatic and trade relations with South Africa is looking good after bilateral talks between the two countries were held today (17/06/02).

Minister for Trade and Commerce, Tomasi Vuetilovoni and Minister for Finance and National Planning, Ratu Jone Kubuabola met with the Head of the South African delegation and Deputy Finance Minister, Mandisi Mpahlwa and other officials.

Ratu Jone informed his deputy counterpart Mr Mpahlwa that although Fiji already has diplomatic relations they were looking at possibilities of having representation in South Africa.

Ratu Jone also said that Fiji would like to have technical assistance from South Africa in terms of trade negotiations, training and aid in kind.

Mr Mpahlwa in response said that he was hopeful that Fiji and South Africa was going to engage in bilateral relations.

Fiji Commerce Minister, Mr Vuetilovoni raised other important issues that he said South Africa could engage in with Fiji.

“We have the sugar industry thriving well here in Fiji and since your country has expertise in processing sugar by-products, we would think that you would also consider investing in our industry.

“We also have other industries such as mahogany, the fishing industry particularly tuna, we have land being dedicated to a film industry and an IT (Information Technology) industry that has been boosted with the Southern Cross Cables that was launched last year,” Mr Vuetilovoni said.

Another area that Fiji was looking at as a prospect for bilateral relation is in the area of culture and sports.

Ratu Jone told the South African delegate that in the area of culture and sports the two main areas that could be developed in culture was music and in sports rubgy.

Deputy Finance Minister Mpahlwa said in response that these were two important areas, particularly sports.

“Our enthusiastic sports minister (Mr Ngconde Balfour) will be very interested and we will need to formally communicate with him on this,” he said.

Mr Mpahlwa also stressed that these two issues could be further discussed at ministerial levels between Fiji and South Africa.