Fiji is expected to receive substantial access to finance facilities and technical assistance from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank after senior delegations from both institutions held meetings in Suva with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and the Attorney General and Minister for Finance, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
The ADB delegation also met with the Minister for Infrastructure, Pio Tikoduadua.
Among the visitors was the ADB’s Vice President, Stephen Groff, who is responsible for the Bank’s operations across East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific.
A separate mission from the World Bank is being led by the Bank’s Country Director for several Pacific nations including Fiji, Franz Drees-Gross.
Bainimarama said both banks recognise not only the successful return to parliamentary rule but the government’s emphasis on service delivery and better infrastructure for the Fijian people.
He said the banks are keen to assist in strengthening our institutions and to improve the government’s ability to provide such things as roads, jetties, drinking water and sanitation and give Fijians better access to markets.
Sayed-Khaiyum said the World Bank is here to discuss assisting Fiji with the reforms to the Civil Service, which are a vital part of the government’s reform program for the next four years.
He said both banks had expressed their satisfaction with the management of the Fijian economy, the healthy levels of growth and the outlook for the future.
