The Fijian Government, through the Ministry of Public Enterprises, invites expressions of interest from potential investors to participate in the partial divestment of the Fiji Electricity Authority.
For further information on this EOI and the relevant contact details, please see link below;
http://FEA – EOI (Signed) 19 8 16
Ambassador Mataitoga met with senior representatives of the Chamber of Commerce & Industries of the Russian Federation (CCI), Mr Sergey VASILIEV, Deputy Chairman, Committee for Economic Cooperation with Asia and Oceania, and Professor Vadim SALTYKOVSKIY, also a member of the same committee in Moscow on 2 August 2016.
The meeting explored areas and opportunities to further build and develop trade, business and investment relations between Fiji and the Russian Federation, as well as consult with private sector representatives on issues that Fiji should address to increase bilateral relations between the two countries.
The discussions focused on exploring the potential niche markets for products such as virgin coconut oil, tuna, fiji water, sugar and Fiji’s range of beauty products. Tourism (sports and cultural) was also an area of interest in the discussions, focusing both on visitors from Russia as well as attracting investment into Fiji’s tourism sector. Furthermore, the prospect of a mini-trade/invesment Mission from Fiji to Russia was also explored and for our Russian counterparts to consider.
Fiji Embassy
TOKYO
On Friday, 29 July 2016, Charge’ d’ Affaires, Counselor Mrs Korovou, hosted a lunch meeting with officials from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (CAB), of the Ministry of Land, Transport, Infrastructure & Tourism (MLITT), who were part of the Japanese delegation to the Air Services Agreement (ASA) and direct flight bilateral consultations, held in Fiji on the 6th – 7th of July. The FET was party to the coordination of this bilateral talks. The lunch was also attended by Second Secretary Kelera Savu.
The meeting was to touch base on discussion outcomes in Fiji as well as to consider follow-up actions required from the FET side.
The meeting noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tokyo) has jurisdiction over the drafting of the revised ASA. Moreover, as per the bilateral discussions in Suva, the ASA will consider a series of modernized aviation provisions between Fiji and Japan, that anticipates expanding civil aviation cooperation between the two countries. This would allow the designated airlines of both countries to operate three passenger or cargo flights per week, beginning in late 2019, with an expansion to four flights per week.
Ms. Savu and Mrs Korovou with MLITT officials
The Nippon Foundation and Government of Japan, in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy hosted an International Symposium on Capacity Building for Sustainable Oceans from 19th July to 20th July 2016, at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu in Tokyo, Japan. The symposimum was attended to by Heads of Government, science, industry, academia, international organizations and community representatives.
(L-R) Ambassador Matsutaro (Palau), Ambasasdor Tupou (Tonga), HE Tommy Remmengesau (President of the Republic of Palau) and Ambasasdor Mataitoga at the Welcome Reception
The two-day symposium is in pursuit of the commitment made by The Nippon Foundation at the Rio+20, to open a global dialogue to support many communities and countries to improve ocean health. The Foundation together with the Government of Japan and The Nature Conservancy then created a platform to explore innovative Global ocean building practices on the managing of our oceans and educating and connecting. Profile of practical examples of successful programs at the community level, as well as cross-boundary networks to discover the available opportunities for taking care of our oceans were also noted.
The two-day symposium also explored elements of each practice which are specifically effective at building capacity in relation to issues such as ocean education, fisheries, marine and coastal planning, climate change adaptation, science for decision making and multi-stakeholder networks. It also provided a special panel discussion on the Future Prospect for Ocean Education in Japan, stressing on the need to create more awareness of the ocean’s essential services and contributions, to which one mentioned of the need to increase applicants for jobs on the sea.
H.E Tommy Remengesau Jr., President, Republic of Palau and H.E. Anote Tong, Former President of the Republic of Kiribati also gave keynote speeches at the Symposium Opening. Ambassador Mataitoga and Second Secretary Kelera Savu attended from the Embassy.
HE Mr Isikeli Mataitoga met with Mr Tetsuo Yamada, the President of BMC International, on Thursday, 7 July 2016, at the Fiji Embassy with the object of discussing newly established business ties with Fiji. The meeting was attended to by the Director of Pacific Islands Center (PIC), Mr Ryuzu Saito and Second Secretary Kelera Savu.
(L-R) Mr. Yamada, Ambassador Mataitoga & Mr. Sato
BMC gave an update of their new venture with the Government of Fiji through Datec Fiji Limited. BMC International is widely renowned for developing efficient and secure VAT Collection Management Systems (VCMS), assisting Governments and National Tax Agencies with the VAT collections in over 20 countries.
The FET was informed that, BMC in working with FRCA, will install systems in Supermarkets first before expanding to other business entities. The first shipment of VCMS is is expected to be air-freight in mid-August 2016. The relevant training for implementation is expected to be undertaken from November 2016.
The Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre (JEVIC), on the 15th of June was appointed, by the Fiji Land Transport Authority (LTA), as the official Offshore Vehicle Inspector, tasked with “appraising vehicle conditions and ensuring some set standards in the quality of second-hand vehicles” imported into Fiji from Japan.
The appointment, through competitive international tender, comes following consultations by the relevant authorities and agencies in Fiji. This was in response to complaints and issues raised by stakeholders with regards to the quality of used vehicles brought into the country.
This appointment means that “beginning from 15th August 2016, no used vehicle imported from Japan will be allowed to enter Fiji, unless inspected and certified by JEVIC prior to shipping.
The inspection in Japan will begin from 15th July 2016.
For more information see the JEVIC link – http://jevic.com/services/vehicle-maritime-inspections/roadworthiness-fiji/index.html
Fiji LTA Notice – http://jevic.com/assets/Uploads/Fiji_LTA_Jun2016.pdf
Fiji Government Tender
The Government of Fiji’s Procurement Office under the Ministry of Finance is currently extending its invitation to overseas companies to bid for Government Tenders. This exercise is aimed at attracting vendors with quality products and excellent services that will boost competition within our local market.
For further information and to view current tenders please click http://www.fpo.gov.fj/index.php/tenders/new-tenders
Envoys of the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) on Friday, 10th June, travelled to Beppu City and Oita City in the Kyushu region (South of Japan) for a two day conference organised by the Asia Pacific University (APU) Oceania Students Association as part of the week long Oceania programme. The FET was represented by Counsellor Korovou in her capacity as the Charge’ d’ Affaires.
PICs Envoys in APU
The two-day Conference featured discussions and exchange of views by PIC’s Embassy representatives on the theme of Climate Change, and was also aimed at promoting the the Pacific to the APU and Oita community at large.
Discussions on Climate Change
This was an enriching experience for the audience, majority of whom were APU students and academia. The space allowed the PIC envoys to share information and encounters on Climate Change impacts in the region based on experiences of individual island state. The discussions also spanned issues on women in diplomacy, life of a diplomat, labour migration, and ODA in the context of climate change.
Performance by the APU PICs students