“We need to view and indeed separate the political from trade, tourism and the economy,” Commodore Bainimarama said to applause from the audience, in reference to last week’s tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions first by Fiji and followed by Australia and New Zealand.
Bainimarama said while the governments of Fiji, Australia and New Zealand had taken respective positions regarding their interaction at the political and diplomatic level, his government would not let “such issues affect or discourage trade, tourism, business cooperation, collaboration and investment.”
“On the contrary, we encourage more trade, investment and tourism between our traditional partners of Australia and New Zealand.”
Bainimarama said he again offered engagement at all levels with the two governments “on a level playing field in which our sovereignty and dignity is respected and maintained.
Such engagement must encourage trade, investment and friendship for the mutual benefit of our countries.”
Meanwhile, representatives of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are expected in Fiji as the government looks for financing of its land reform to be implemented early 2010.
