Australians played a crucial role in Fiji's tourism recovery - Daurewa

Fiji-Australia bilateral relations have soared to new heights under the Vuvale partnership with strengthened people-to-people links and a renewed sense of commitment towards an elevated engagement and cooperation between our two countries.

Acting Chief of Protocol Paula Daurewa highlighted this at the Australia Day reception held last night in Suva which was attended by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, cabinet ministers, Leader of Opposition Voreqe Bainimarama, diplomatic corp and invited guests. Daurewa says Australians have played a crucial role in Fiji's tourism recovery following the opening of Fiji’s borders in December 2021, and last month, over 42,000 Aussie visitors were welcomed to our shores.

He also says Fiji continues to see several investment projects in the pipeline come from Australia across a broad range of sectors, including education, renewable energy, green technology, ICT infrastructure, and business process outsourcing, to name a few.

Australia’s Chargé D’Affaires to Fiji, John Williams highlighted that for Australia, Vuvale is a cultural shift, recognising not just the importance of Fiji to national interests, but also the need to engage each other in spirit of genuine two-way partnership.

Williams adds Australia Day is an important time of reflection for their people.

He further adds they have much to celebrate, as a diverse, vibrant contemporary society, actively engaged in world affairs. The Diplomat says people from almost every country on earth have chosen to make Australia their home, and they are enriched by this adversity in so many ways.