Government remains committed towards ensuring that it continues to play a lead role in reducing Fiji’s reliance on fossil fuel.

 This was highlighted by the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Hon. Osea Naiqamu while opening the first ever Wood Biomass Symposium.

 Minister Naiqamu said Fiji was capable of achieving 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and is working towards achieving this goal.

 “Government is ready to upscale current efforts and to provide the necessary support that is needed to enable the setting up of a large scale biomass and pallet industry in Fiji that is capable of providing an economical alternative to diesel,” Minister Naiqamu said.

 “We stand ready to provide the necessary assistance to ensure that it can be successful and that it is sustainable with breakthrough result.”

 In 2014, Fiji’s fuel import bill was around $1.4 billion or 14 per cent of the country’s total import bill and Minister Naiqamu said Government continues to explore new opportunities to reduce reliance on fuel.

 Minister Naiqamu said the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry was already taking proactive steps towards providing Fijians an opportunity to tap into its natural resources to use in the energy sector.

 “The input of the forestry sector is a win – win situation for all as it will create employment in rural areas, utilize idle land, reduce our fuel import bill and at the same time increase our foreign exchange earnings,” Minister Naiqamu said..