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A new partnership arrangement was signed today between Fiji and Japan, to enhance Fiji’s resilience against the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Honourable Voreqe Bainimarama signed a $200million Emergency Loan for COVID-19 Response with the Ambassador of Japan to Fiji His Excellency, Kawakami Fumihiro, at a signing ceremony held this afternoon at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
Speaking at the occasion, Prime Minister Bainimarama thanked the Government and people of Japan for the solidarity shown to Fijians during this pandemic.
“Fiji is a COVID-Contained country. For more than 300 days we have defended our people from any local transmission of the virus. Today, we are one of the only places in the world where we can gather – as we do today – without risking anyone’s health. But that remarkable achievement is not without a cost.
“With our borders closed, our hotels are empty of tourists, our fleet of planes is virtually grounded, and our Tourism Industry has come to a standstill. And Government revenues have been sapped at a time when we need unprecedented resources behind building our climate resilience.”
Prime Minister Bainimarama said the support from the Japanese Government will enable us to further strengthen Fiji’s COVID defences, particularly our public health systems and equip our frontline workers as we prepare to step through the door of a post-pandemic future.
PM Bainimarama conveyed sincere sympathies for the loss of lives that Japan has experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Head of the Fijian Government said Fiji looks forward to the upcoming Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 9) meeting later this year to pursue all the opportunities ahead to strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
Ambassador Fumihiro said the Government of Japan aims to support Fijian Government’s efforts to stabilize and revitalize the Fijian economy, in addition to strengthening the health care system.
The funding includes Stand-by Loan for Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction, rehabilitation for three Secondary Schools in Kadavu, the regional project for immunization strengthening programs in collaboration with WHO and UNICEF and the detail design phase of the Tamavua-i-wai Bridge.
Ambassador Fumihiro said Japan’s support demonstrates close friendship and collaboration that Fiji and Japan have established over 50 years of diplomatic relations.
“Japan and Fiji are significant partners tackling not only climate change, but also closely cooperating in addressing key global issues on the international stage, and we hope to further deepen cooperation in the future,” Ambassador Fumihiro said.
