Fiji is recovering very well.
This was the reassurance made by the Prime Minister Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka to about 500 Fijians in Auckland, New Zealand last night.
Prime Minister Rabuka said figures and data provided by the World Bank, the IMF and the ADB have “predicted that Fiji’s economic recovery will continue to grow in the years to come.”
“We have gone through a difficult patch but we are fortunate to have come through when the world began its recovery,” he said.
“The good news for us in Fiji is that we are recovering very well.”
Prime Minister Rabuka visited the Fijian community at Mahatma Ghandi Centre where he was accorded a full traditional welcome ceremony ahead of his official engagements in Wellington tomorrow.
Prime Minister Rabuka, at the same time, acknowledged the remittance contribution made by the Fijian community for our country.
“We appreciate your contribution to Fiji’s economy very much. Vinaka vakalevu. We may not know how much you earn or how difficult your lives become over here but we are grateful for your contribution.”
Apart from updating those in attendance with the government’s development priorities, Hon. Rabuka also shared the successful journey of our recent national events such as Girmit Day, the reconvening of the Great Council of Chiefs and Ratu Sukuna Day.
He also talked about his recent visit to Samoa where he emphasised that Fiji will continue to try and consolidate unity in the Pacific.
In acknowledging the current geo-political and socio-economic challenges, Prime Minister Rabuka added that; “we have inherited a lot from the previous government, they have promised a lot and we will have to try to keep those promises.”
“We cannot solve everything overnight but we are slowly coming to terms with the challenges we’ve inherited.”
He encouraged the Fijian community to become very good citizens and permanent residents of Aotearoa.
“Please observe the laws and regulations of this nation and be very good citizens of this country. Maintain Fiji’s good relationship with New Zealand.”
Speaking on behalf of the Fijian community, Mr Sam Archary said the Prime Minister’s visit reaffirmed their commitment to working together with the Fiji Government.
“We look forward to exploring avenues for collaboration and partnership between our communities here and Fiji,” the chair of the Trustees of the Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand said.
“We are confident that this will pave the way for more enhanced cooperation and mutual understanding.”
