Minister Inia Seruiratu and the Fijian Delegation to Malaysia with the staff of INFOFISH International.
Minister for Rural & Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, and Primary Industries, Inia Seruiratu has this week joined a 10 member delegation from his Ministries who are on tour of Malaysia.
Mr Seruiratu and his delegation paid a courtesy visit to INFOFISH International in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
During his meeting with the INFOFISH director general, Dr Abdul Basir Kunhimohammed, Mr Seruiratu conveyed Cabinet’s recent approval for Fiji to join INFOFISH International.
“Fiji has been an observer for the last 25 years, although it was one of the countries that agreed to its set up. By becoming a member, Fiji recognizes the importance of INFOFISH and how it can assist in developing our fisheries sector ”, Mr Seruiratu said.
“The decision is all part of Government’s policy to broaden Fiji’s engagement with international agencies
“While Fiji has a lot to contribute, it will also benefit from INFOFISH’s various technical assistance”, he added.
Dr Basir said INFOFISH was pleased with the Fijian Government’s decision.
“INFOFISH welcomes the Fijian Government’s decision. We have been trying in the past to get Fiji on board and this decision will increase our scope of activities and assistance in the Pacific since Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands are already members”, Dr Basir said.
Dr Basir also took the opportunity to request Fiji to host the Pacific Tuna Conference in 2015 which was acknowledged by the Minister.
Mr Seruiratu presented Fiji’s flag to Dr Basir which was hoisted last night at the INFOFISH Office, followed by the singing of Fiji’s national anthem.
Mr Seruiratu will also call on his counterpart, the Minister of Rural and Regional Development during his visit to Malaysia.
Yesterday, the delegation met with a number of business people interested in engaging with Fiji, and the MARA Institute. The delegation also visited Malaysia’s agency responsible for trade, MATRADE.
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