March 3, 2015. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and to the Minister for Trade and Investment, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP, is travelling to Fiji from 31 March – 2 April. This will be Mr Ciobo’s first visit to Fiji as Parliamentary Secretary.
Mr Ciobo will meet with senior members of the Fiji Government, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, the Hon Faiyaz Koya. Mr Ciobo will reaffirm Australia’s commitment to taking our relationship with Fiji into a new era of partnership and prosperity.
Mr Ciobo will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hon Jioji Konrote, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, marking Fiji’s inclusion in the Seasonal Worker Program. This will provide valuable opportunities for Fijian workers to secure short-term employment in Australia and is consistent with Australia’s focus on creating jobs and boosting incomes across the Pacific. Mr Ciobo will also meet with Fiji business leaders and visit an Australian aid program focused on innovative partnerships with the private sector.
Australia is one of Fiji’s largest trade and investment partners, with Australian investment in Fiji $1.7 billion in 2013. Two-way trade is worth over $1.8 billion annually. Up to 50,000 Fijians live and work in Australia and approximately 340,000 Australians visited Fiji last year.
PRESS RELEASE