Three Government Ministers will attend China’s second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing this week.

They are Minister for Tourism and Trade Premila Kumar, Minister for Infrastructure Jone Usamate, and Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau.

They will be part of the 5,000 participants from over 150 countries and 90 international organisations attending the Forum.

First Belt and Forum

The first BRF was attended by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama two years ago.

He was the only leader from the Pacific Island Countries who attended this forum.

Chinese Ambassador 

Chinese Ambassador  Qian Bo said he was happy for the commitment of these Ministers to attend the second BRF.

He said: “BRF will provide more opportunities for international economic cooperation, and contribute more to the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and a new type of international relations.”

This second BRF he said would deliver fruitful outcomes, create more driving forces for the economic growth of both participating countries and other countries concerned.

“We hope the Forum will send a positive message of strengthening international economic cooperation, promoting global growth, and building an open global economy.”

Ministers’ arrival

Fiji Sun Business has been told that Mr Koroilavesau would arrive in Beijing this evening, while the two other Ministers will leave for Beijing on Wednesday.

The Ministers’ have been booked at the Great Wall Hotel in Beijing near the Fijian Embassy.

BRF theme

The theme of this year’s BRF is: ‘Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future’

The forum events included, a leaders’ roundtable, a high- level meeting, the- matic forums, a chief executive officers con- ference and other side events.

Fisheries Minister 

Mr Koroilavesau in an interview yesterday said Fiji Fisheries would be identifying areas of interest in this forum.

These he said were areas that support fisheries development goals in developing sustainable fisheries.

“Fiji will use the opportunity to identify scientific support that is available during the meet.

“Fiji’s fisheries interest will identify comparative advantage in areas of research, aquaculture and offshore fisheries,” Mr Koroilavesau said.

When asked on how will Fiji’s engagement in this forum boost its relationship with China?

Mr Koroilavesau said: “For Fisheries it provides a platform for Fiji to raise its priorities.

“These are priorities of sustainable development goals and what we need our development partners to take note of.”

An example he stated was the fishing effort levels in the high seas and the role China can play.