Fiji's Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has called on Pacific Island leaders to look outside the box of traditional friends and make new ones to boost investments and trade within the region.
While addressing the delegates at the Engaging with the Pacific meeting at Natadola Intercontinental Hotel this morning, Commodore Bainimarama highlighted steps being taken by his government to forge new partnerships and exploring opportunities for investment and trade.
Commodore Bainimarama said the recent invitation to Abu Dhabi by the Arab League and the interest from that region to collaborate with the Pacific Small Island Developing States in political issues is a good step.
He said this is equally important in areas of investment and trade partnerships as it demonstrates the value in seeking new relationships without fore going existing ones.
Commodore Bainimarama also highlighted that Fiji recently decided to join the Non aligned Movement or NAM and said they believe by joining that NAM will give Fiji the ability to independently state its position and not dictated by metropolitan powers.
He said it will also give them powers to withheld information and engender collaboration with countries that Fiji traditionally have not had access to.
Story by: Roneel Lal
