New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern will visit Fiji from next Monday to Thursday.
The Fijian government says the bilateral relations between Fiji and New Zealand is expected to soar to new heights with Ardern’s historic visit next week.
Prime Minister Ardern will pay a courtesy call on President, Jioji Konrote and meet with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on Tuesday.
Key topics of discussion between Fiji and New Zealand’s bilateral meeting are climate change in the Pacific, improving the balance of trade and development co-operation.
During her visit, Prime Minister Ardern will deliver a speech at the University of the South Pacific and visit the RISE Informal settlement project in Tamavua-i-wai.
Another key feature of Prime Minister Ardern’s visit is her meeting with the Women MPs, Women in Business, Civil Society and Youth leaders.
The NZ Prime Minister is expected to be part of the official opening programme of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre in the western division.
The Fijian government says this much awaited visit by Prime Minister Ardern demonstrates the great friendship and partnership between Fiji and New Zealand across a wide spectrum of areas.
The total two-way trade between New Zealand and Fiji for the year ended 2018 was NZD$690 million. Fiji continues to be New Zealand’s largest trading partner in the Pacific.
Total exports from Fiji to New Zealand for the year 2018 was NZD$100 million, whilst imports stood at approximately NZD$590 million. New Zealand has been one of Fiji’s top five import markets over the years. The target is a two-billion dollar trade relationship that both sides are confident of achieving.
New Zealand is also Fiji’s second largest tourism source market with increases in arrivals from New Zealand reaching a record high in 2018. In 2018, Fiji received 198,718 Kiwis. This was an increase of 7.7%, the highest number recorded in a given year.
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