Japan provides FJ$19 Million support for improvement of Fiji’s aviation safety facilities

The Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Fiji signed an Exchange of Notes and Grant Agreement to formalize the Project for Improvement of Aviation Safety Facilities worth approximately FJ$19 million or 1.29 billion Japanese Yen.

The Exchange of Notes signing ceremony was presided over by the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka and Ambassador of Japan to Fiji H.E. Mr. Rokuichiro Michii, at the Office of the Prime Minister, this morning.

The objective of the project is to improve the safety of Fiji’s aircraft operations and contribute to improving transport infrastructure capacity and sustainable growth.

The project entails provision of equipment and technical support by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The equipment includes the following;

Two VHF Omnidirectional Radio Beacons or Distance Measuring Equipment VOR/DME);

Five Airport Fire Engines; and

Three Rescue Boats.

This project will be implemented at major airport facilities including Nadi International Airport, Nausori Airport, Labasa, Savusavu and Matei Airports.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Rabuka thanked the Government of Japan for the tremendous assistance that will greatly boost Fiji’s aviation safety and services.

The Prime Minister said this valuable contribution by Japan supports Fiji’s status as the regional hub, adding that this support is timely in view of the new International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Pacific liaison office has just opened in Nadi last month thus demonstrating ICAO’s confidence in Fiji’s aviation sector.

In his address, Ambassador Michii said the project serves not only to enhance Fiji’s aviation sector, as a whole, but also strengthens the friendship between the Governments and peoples of Japan and Fiji, with the Prime Minister, Hon. Rabuka, himself at the very centre stage of this latest elevation of the Japan-Fiji cooperation.

The Ambassador noted that Fiji’s geo-strategic position makes it a unique hub for Pacific regional connectivity. This project is a significant contribution to making our region well connected through aviation. In turn, the provision of the right technology and equipment is critical to the project.

Ambassador Michii said that today’s signing of the Exchange of Notes is the second of five that will be signed and formalized during the course of this month, which are, collectively, worth approximately FJ$133 million.

He reaffirmed Japan’s continuing support for Fiji’s development priorities as reflected in Fiji’s National Development Plan 2025-2029 that was officially launched yesterday by the Coalition Government.