New areas of partnership will emerge through the enhanced bilateral engagements between Fiji and France.

This has been conveyed in a meeting recently held at the Office of the Prime Minister between Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister, Immigration and Sugar Industry and Acting Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Yogesh Karan and French Ambassador to Fiji, Jean-François Fitou.

The meeting enabled discussions on new collaboration opportunities between the two nations to advance their mutual interests and development priorities.

PS Karan acknowledged France for its longstanding partnership and support that has positively contributed towards Fiji’s national development. He reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to strengthen the potential areas of cooperation with Fiji’s development partners, with solidarity being at the heart of the regional and national recovery strategies.

Ambassador Fitou commended the exemplary leadership of the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama for the swift actions taken by the Fijian government to contain COVID19. He said in recognition of the Fijian Government’s remarkable efforts, the French Embassy is determined to support Fiji through the new initiatives to reachout to Fijian communities.

He also thanked PS Karan for the robust discussions on the prospects for improved economic and investment opportunities through the Fiji-France cooperation.

Ambassador Fitou said that in line with the National France Day to be commemorated next month on 14th July, the French Embassy in Fiji is planning to organise the women’s expo program in partnership with Women in Business (Fiji) and other sponsors, where women market vendors will be able to sell their products and earn income for their families. He said this program aspires to assist the many women market vendors who have been affected by the economic downturn incurred as a result of COVID19.

He said the French Embassy is also working on assisting the Fiji Sugar Corporation, and details of the assistance will be made known later.

Ambassador Fitou said that progressive consultations are currently underway to have fully French Language Training Program for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff and few other ministries that are keen on taking this initiative on board.