Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama left this morning to attend the Doha International Conference on Financing on Development in Qatar which will be held from this Saturday to next Tuesday.

Bainimarama is attending the Doha Conference in his capacity as Acting Finance Minister and National Planning and he is accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for Finance Peceli Vocea and two of his security detail.

The PM's office said the conference is to discuss issues and deal with goals to eradicate poverty, achieve sustained growth and promote sustainable development as the world advances to a fully inclusive and equitable global economic system.

During Commodore Bainimarama's absence, interim Defence Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau will be acting Prime Minister and interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will act as Minister for Finance and National Planning.

Commodore Bainimarama will return to the country on the 5th of December.

Meanwhile, according to the 2009 Budget Supplement Estimates the overseas travelling budget for the Prime Minister is $145,000 dollars for next year.

His overseas travel budget for 2008 is $40,000.