Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum thanked the outgoing World Bank resident representative to the Pacific, Lasse Melgaard, for his leadership in strengthening the Fiji/World Bank partnership during his 5-year work tenure in Fiji.

In his farewell address, the A-G acknowledged Mr Melgaard’s support for Fiji’s first ever chairing of the World Bank-IMF Annual Board of Governors meeting and 3 years of chairmanship for the World Bank Small States Forum.

He also acknowledged the World Bank for providing direct budget support for the first time, and Fiji’s inclusion to access high concessional financing through IDA.

He thanked Mr Melgaard for his lead role in Fiji finalising its first ever World Bank financing in the social sector which assisted with the income support provided to the unemployed and the introduction of the Jobs for Nature 2.0 initiative.

The event was attended by Cabinet ministers, staff members of the World Bank, and members of the diplomatic corps.