The International Fund for Agricultural Development, based in Italy, has agreed to assist in Fiji’s rehabilitation efforts following talks held recently between Fiji’s envoy to the European Union and the IFAD President.
Fiji’s Ambassador to the European Union Deo Saran discussed Fiji’s situation when he presented his credentials to the IFAD president Dr Kanayo Nwanze at the IFAD headquarters in Rome. He highlighted that most of the IFAD-funded projects in Fiji had been severely damaged adding that the Fijian government placed agricultural rehabilitation as one of its priorities.
Dr Nwanze expressed his sympathy and thoughtful support to Fiji due to the destruction caused by TC Winston in parts of the country. He expressed his appreciation for Fiji’s consistent contribution over the years and assured Ambassador Saran of IFAD’s immediate assistance in the possible reallocation of support and assistance through its Jakarta office. He also informed Ambassador Saran on the IFAD’s decentralisation business model with the intentions of raising its visibility at the same time be effective in its operations.
Ambassador Saran thanked Dr. Nwanze and conveyed the warm greetings of H.E. the President of Fiji to him and the staff of IFAD. He thanked President Nwanze for IFAD’s support and assistance to Fiji since Fiji attained IFAD membership in 1978. He also assured Dr Nwanze of Fiji’s continuous commitment and support to IFAD.
Ambassador Saran also thanked Dr Nwanze for IFAD’s support and assistance including financial grants on the various IFAD projects that had been implemented in Fiji to-date. He also expressed Fiji’s desire to have an IFAD office in Fiji as well as seeking IFAD’s support and assistance in exploring bilateral cooperation with Cuba through the South-South Cooperation.