Lieutenant-Colonel Inia Seruiratu (left) signs the documents as the Korean Ambassador to Fiji, Kim Seong-In, looks on at the Fisheries headquarters in Suva yesterday. Photo: JUSTINE MANNAN
By MARAIA VULA
Government says the provision of Fisheries Grant-Aid Equipment by the Republic of Korea to our Fisheries Department has enormously improved service deliveries to our fishing communities.
Minister for Primary Industries, Lieutenant-Colonel Inia Seruiratu, made these comments yesterday as he received the second Grant-Aid Office Equipment from the Korean Overseas Fisheries Association delegation.
He said this was a gesture to sustain mutually-beneficial relationship together with improving the two country’s broad co-operation.
Lieutenant-Colonel Seruiratu extended his deep appreciation to the Republic of Korea for the donation and expressed humble wish to foster and strengthen Fiji’s co-operation in the future.
The donation was delivered to the Department of Fisheries Training Center in Lami.
This is the second donation to Fiji under the Grant Assistance Programme for coastal developing countries.
The donated goods are approximately worth $150,000. They include office equipment, information technology accessories and so on.
Strategic alliance
Korean ambassador to Fiji, Kim Seong-In, said the event was a strategic alliance between Fiji and Korea in fisheries incorporated areas.
“We would like this opportunity to boost fisheries cooperation the fisheries training programmes and technical assistance,” Mr Seong-In said.
Mr Seong-In highlighted Fiji had great potential in the fisheries area more than any country and had become the centre to the 14 Pacific Island countries.
“Fiji has the potential to become the hub of transshipment, processing and export of fish and marine resources which will improve the income and quality of life,” he said.
“This donation is the testimony of my government’s commitment to building up friendly and constructive engagements with Fiji.”
Mr Seong-In hopes the office equipment would fully serve the needs of the ministry in carrying out its tasks.
