The Fijian Government is awaiting a formal response from its Australia and New Zealand counterparts over keen interests to join the Trans-Tasman travel bubble.

Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Saiyed-Khaiyum made the comment on Tuesday saying Fiji had commenced discussions with the two regional leaders at around Easter.

“We’ve written to them formally, we’ve had discussions with ministers from Australia and New Zealand, regarding that.”

Fiji favoured

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said Fiji was in a favourable position with the low number of coronavirus-suspect cases and the comparatively high testing practices.

“We understand there needs to be various ways of being able to deal with the travel bubble.

“There needs to be legal regime requirements as you know, and the obligations and duties of one party vis-a-vis the other, to allow people to have that level of comfort.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said Fiji equally needed such level of comfort because of exposure to vulnerabilities against coronavirus (COVID-19) cases from abroad.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrisson during his recent visit to Fiji.

PM’s COVID-19 Fund

In another development, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum received a $10,000 cheque from the Fiji Institute of Accountants (FIA).

The proceeds will go to the Prime Minister’s COVID-19 fund.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the Government had also received donations from the private sector for the COVID-19 assistance fund.

Institute president Nitesh Lal presented the cheque saying, COViDI-19 brought with it lessons of doing things differently.

“It is very important to us for businesses and communities to come out to assist those who are really affected by this virus,” he said.

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