The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheik Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has assured the President, Jioji Konrote that he will deploy a business delegation to Fiji to explore investment opportunities with a focus on the tourism industry.
President Jioji Konrote paid a courtesy call to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi who is also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates armed forces.
Konrote and the Crown Prince both agreed to strengthen diplomatic and bilateral relations between Fiji and the United Arab Emirates.
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi was particularly interested in business, education, energy and employment sectors.
He has asked for more information on the rebuilding programme for schools damaged by Tropical Cyclone Winston.
The Crown Prince says the United Arab Emirates can also consider offering some scholarships to Fijian students to study in the United Arab Emirates.
He also says they are keen to extend assistance towards renewable energy sources.
Fiji is already a beneficiary of the United Arab Emirates Pacific Partnership Fund which is funding solar power projects on Lakeba, Kadavu and Rotuma.
These projects are helping Fiji save more than half a million dollars annually on fuel import.
The Crown Prince says the United Arab Emirates could also consider more employment opportunities for Fijian citizens.
Close to two hundred Fijians are working in the United Arab Emirates with the majority in the aviation industry as pilots, flight and ground crew.
There is also an increasing number of work available for nurses and teachers.
Konrote will return to Fiji tomorrow after visiting Fiji's diplomatic missions in Seoul, London, Brussels, Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi and the peacekeeping troops in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Egypt and South Sudan.
The President also met with high‑level dignitaries including the Queen of England, the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, the President of Iraq, Prime Minister of Lebanon, President of Ethiopia, President of South Sudan and finally the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
He also met with the Fijian communities in all the countries he visited where he updated them on the developments in Fiji.
