There was a notable absence of interim government officials at the joint NZ-Fiji Business Council Conference at the Holiday Inn this morning.
Explaining their absence, Chief Guest, Acting New Zealand High Commissioner, Caroline McDonald said it is unfortunate that the interim government decided not to allow its officials to speak at this conference as planned, adding this is a lost opportunity to engage on issues of importance.
She said the event is not run by the New Zealand government and the decisions on the speakers were made by the council in its own wisdom, after consultation with the interim Prime Minister's Office.
Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said they were not invited when previously they have been.
A range of issues were discussed at the conference, namely investment, tourism, trade and aid.
Speaking on aid, McDonald said the New Zealand government is expected to spend more than $5 million this financial year on bilateral programs adding that the estimated benefit that Fiji gets from being the centre for New Zealand's regional aid programmes is around $20 million annually.
McDonald said following the coup, New Zealand policy changed from providing assistance to the Fiji government to disbursement through NGOs.
She added this led to a drop in expenditure due to the challenges the political context presents to disbursing funds, but she said this is now building up again.
Fiji Govt Officials Stay Out
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