Ambassador Isikeli Mataitoga paid a courtesy call on Sendai Mayor Emiko Okuyama on Tuesday 27 November 2012 and discussed ties to promote Fiji to the people of Sendai City and establish a friendly bilateral relationship with Sendai City underpinned by mutual respect.

Ambassador Mataitoga with Mayor Emiko Okuyama

In his brief, Ambassador highlighted the Embassy`s initiative of soft diplomacy in exploring and establishing friendly relations with respective prefectures and its municipalities, objectively to promote Fiji as a promising socio-economic destiny to the people of Sendai, as well as to establish deepening people to people relations.

Mayor Okuyama expressed appreciation for Fiji’s assistance following the devastating tsunami that struck Japan recently. Fiji is currently hosting university and secondary school level students from the Tohoku Region that was devastated by the tsunami. The Ambassador`s courtesy visit was a good start and the mayor was confident that Fiji and Sendai City relations will grow from now on.

The newest member of Cabinet in Fiji, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forest, Lieutenant-Colonel Inia Batitoko Seruiratu has urged the need for cooperation and partnership to grow the Fijian economy sustainably. The former permanent secretary for Provincial Development and National Disaster Management was today, Friday 16 November 2012 sworn-in as minister by His Excellency the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau in the presence of Prime Minister Josaia Bainimarama at Government House.

HE President of Fiji congratulates Mr Seruiratu after being sworn in as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forest.

While congratulating Mr Seruiratu, the President told the new Minister that his appointment was well deserved. On his part, the Minister said he looks forward to the opportunity and challenge since his portfolio is very critical to Fiji especially in terms of its contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP). Mr Seruiratu said Government and the stakeholders need to work in partnership as the State has the expertise and the funds but needs the willingness of the people and their contribution. And that the industry can advance forward, but if there is unwillingness the intentions of Government will not be realised. He urged people in the rural areas and all stakeholders to work in partnership to move the nation forward and grow the economy which “will be good for everybody”.

Mr Seruiratu further elaborated that the country have abundance of resources and agriculture and fisheries is where these resources can be better utilised for the benefit of Fiji particularly in the area of integrated rural development and how this can address the socio-economic issues. First on his agenda is to look at how both the organisations fit into the context of the changing environment.  The ministry has two permanent secretaries as it is considered quite vast but the Minister, who had also served as the Commissioner Northern earlier on, is ready to take up the challenge. Following on his taking up the appointment, he pledged that the important thing to do right now is to look at the strengths and weaknesses, what are the opportunities there and ensure that effective, efficient, relevant and current measures are undertaken in the way things are done and most importantly the alignment to the 11 pillars of the People’s Charter. This is very critical particularly on promoting economic growth and the two ministries play a significant role.