Page 36 - IB AUG 2018

Business Intelligence - FIJI

Fiji in $1.5 billion climate fund pact

FIJI is one of four people from Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji and New Zealand some
Pacific Island na- works on the Pacific Resilience facility, which has been en-
tions that have dorsed by the Economic Ministers.
agreed to pool re- “That would be to set up a fund in the region to retrofit
sources to create a our own infrastructure, so that we are prepared for disaster
$1.5 billion climate instead of waiting for it to happen and then asking for help
change fund which after,” said Dame Meg.
states can access The signatories to the fund want to raise $1.5 billion, which is
to build their own one per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the Pacific
infrastructure. multiplied by five years.
Pacific Islands “We are working on that, by next year we will have some-
Forum Secretari- thing underway and set up and it has given us quite a bit of
at (PIF) secretary discussions around that and I think why this is important is
general, Dame Meg how the Pacific can help itself,” added the PIF secretary general.
Taylor, said the The SIS is one of several regional meetings convened in Apia
proposed climate Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIF) secretary in the lead up to the Forum Foreign Ministers conference which
change fund was general, Dame Meg Taylor. Photo: samoaobserver.ws Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi chaired.
discussed during Jonathan Pryke, the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Islands pro-
the Small Island States (SIS) conference in Samoa early this gramme director, described the proposed climate change fund-
month. She said the establishment of the fund is important as ing mechanism as a ‘good initiative’ by the PIF.
it is an initiative for the Pacific Islands by the Pacific Islands. “I think it is a good initiative where Pacific Island countries
“We have different framework from a policy side that lead- should chip in a bit, but I think there is expectation also that
ers did want to have to set up like the framework of resilient donors will be putting in a lot of that money like Australia and
development in the Pacific. New Zealand,” he said. - Pacnews
“The Secretariat is doing with a very small task force of

Single window system explored already started putting in strategies to move toward renewables
TWENTY-three trade facilitation agencies are drafting a work- using solar while keeping LPG as transitional fuel until the equip-
able single window system customised for Fiji to ensure secure ment catches up with the cost effectiveness.”
trade. A single window is a system that allows traders to lodge
documentation to achieve entry, clearance, and release of their ANZ launches Fiji Excellence
goods from a single convenient location. World Bank facilita- ANZ has announced the launch of this year’s Fiji Excellence in
tors conducted a single window workshop for these agencies Tourism Awards, recognising the immense contribution of the
organised by the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) tourism industry in Fiji. ANZ Fiji Country Head Saud Minam said:
at the Revenue and Customs Complex, WCO Regional Training “We’re committed to supporting tourism in Fiji and we’re pleased
Centre in Nasese, Suva. According to Fiji Revenue and Customs to once again present the ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards
Service (Revenue and Customs) chief executive officer and chair (FETA), celebrating excellence in the local tourism sector.” Awards
of NTFC Visvanath Das, the Fijian Government had given a firm Chairman Bill Whiting said: “This season we want to encourage
commitment to implement single window following the ratifica- and recognise hotels and tourism operators who are lifting the
tion of the Trade Facilitation Agreement on February 22, 2017, customer service standards by providing on-going training for
which aims to increase efficiency and effectiveness for trade staff and transforming their service standards.”
facilitation agencies.
Fiji Link’s new Twin Otter
UAE Exchange Rebrands Fiji Airways Group has welcomed its fourth brand new Viking
UAE Exchange, a leading global money transfer, foreign exchange DHC-6 Series 400 Twin Otter aircraft to the Fiji Link fleet. The
and payment solutions brand, has rebranded its operations in addition of this aircraft results in a significantly reduced average
Fiji as ‘Unimoni.’ The rebranding in Fiji comes as a part of the aircraft age, making the national carrier’s domestic subsidiary one
brand’s global rebranding exercise across APAC, Middle East, of the youngest fleet in the world with an average aircraft age of
Africa, Europe and India. Speaking during the launch,Ritesh just 1.8 years. The aircraft touched down at Nadi International
Singh, Commercial Director and Business Head of Unimoni Fiji, Airport to a rousing welcome by Fiji Link and Fiji Airways staff.
said: “The next few years are going to be game changing for
Unimoni in Fiji. The rebranding will set the stage for our expan- China Railway fined
sion plans across the island, and we will be making significant China Railway First Group (Fiji) Limited was fined US$5,000 for
investments to increase our network reach and introduce new breaching the Environment Management Act 2005. In a state-
products and services in the market.” ment, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP)
said Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne convicted and sentenced the
Fiji Gas to trial renewable project company on July 27, 2018 at the Nausori Magistrates Court to
IN line with the Fijian government’s vision to become one hundred a fine of F$10,000 for undertaking unauthorised developments.
per cent renewable by 2030, the Fiji Gas Limited is also playing The company was charged with one count of constructing an
its part to achieve this goal. Chief Executive Hans Reiher says asphalt plant and access road at Davuilevu, Nausori without an
currently the company is fossil fuel dependent. “The team has approved Environment Impact Assessment Report.

36 Islands Business, August 2018