The Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Acting Prime Minister, has commended the Australian government for their partnership through the International Finance Corporation – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Fiji Partnership.

He was speaking at the launch of the IFC-DFAT Fiji Trade Partnership event at the Grand Pacific Hotel last night.

He said there was a need to think outside the box, get into areas and sectors which were yet to be tapped.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the service sector could be greatly enhanced through the private sectors.

“We agree the future for Fiji is the service sector and there are opportunities,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said for service sectors such as the medical sector, there was a need to increase the rate of services Fiji offered.

This is in order to ensure that ordinary Fijians have access to tertiary care facilities that they currently do not have.

He said Fijians have to travel abroad to get certain medical treatment and services and it is not right.

“We need to be able to get that range of service available and the fastest way. An economically efficient way of doing this is to get private sector participation.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said Government believes that there were also opportunities for public-private partnership.

And they are already working with Deva De Silva of IFC and his team who are carrying out a project for Fiji.

“I agree there is opportunity in the tourism sector, but if we need to address fundamental areas such as the medical fields which will open up doors for Fiji.”

Australian High Commissioner Margaret Twomey said last night’s event not only mark the beginning of a strong partnership between Australia and IFC with Fiji, but also marks a common aspiration in supporting Fiji’s impressive record in economic growth.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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