The Fiji Trade and Investment Board carries a huge responsibility and the nation's prosperity rest on its shoulders.

These are the words of the newly appointed Interim Minister for Industry and Trade, Tom Ricketts in his address to the FTIB board and staff as he met them for the first time today.

According to Ricketts the Board is the Government's arm to promote and facilitate trade for growth and development of the country as a whole.

In his address to the staff and board members, Ricketts challenged them to ensure that more accountability is demonstrated in any trade mission undertaken by the Board.

A Board meeting is currently underway where members are being updated on the progress for 2007.