Fijian Ministers Attend 2Nd Belt and Road Forum in Beijing
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Civic Tower Level 2 and 3, Victoria Parade Suva Ph: 3305 411 www.mitt.gov.fj | www.fijianmade.gov.fj Fijian Ministers attend 2nd INSIDE Belt and Road Forum in Beijing The Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Hon. Premila Devi Kumar, Minister for Infrastructure, P2 Hon. Jone Usamate and Minister for Fisheries, Fiji’s Engagement in Hon. Semi Koroilavesau attended the 2nd Belt Cyber Security and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. The Belt and Road Initiative originated in 2013, in an effort by the Chinese Government to actively advance cooperation to build inclusiveness, mutual learning and benefits for all member P7 countries of the Belt and Road Initiative. Bakery Training Hon. Kumar stated “Fiji needs to capitalise on this initiative for the benefit of Fijians by attracting foreign direct investments from China that will lead to creation of employment and livelihood for Fijians and through engagements with distributors in China so that Fiji is able to export more to China”. P3 National Job Fair Chinese President, H.E. Xi Jinping officially opened the 2nd Belt and Road Forum on 26 April, followed by high-level meetings. 12 thematic sessions took place on 25 April where the Fijian Ministers participated in sessions of relevance to their portfolios. P5 UNDESA Co-operative Launch of Macau–Fiji Workshop in Turkey Chamber of Commerce The Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Hon. Premila Devi Kumar met with Macau’s Secretary for Administration, Justice and Acting Chief Administrator, H.E. Sonia Chan Hoi Fan P8 and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy MERCOSUR-ASEAN Special Commissioner, Her Excellency Wang Mission to Fiji Dong for the launching of the Macau – Fiji Chamber of Commerce on 23 April 2019. Fijian Tourism Expo 2019 Hon. Kumar, who launched the Macau-Fiji 2019 marked the fifth year of the Fijian Tourism Expo Chamber of Commerce, said she looked forward (FTE), Fiji’s premier tourism industry event designed to their contribution and assistance, especially in for international buyers and media. Hosted by Tourism P11 Super Rugby pays taking the 2 countries economic relations further Fiji, the event provided a cross-sectoral platform for Courtesy Call and creating more business-to-business relations partners in the tourism industry to engage directly with between the Fiji and Macau. Both countries international buyers and travel trade media. agreed that there were various areas in which the both countries could cooperate, using the overall The 2019 FTE was attended by 158 international buyers Belt and Road Initiatives. and 14 international media with more than 300 exhibitors, P12 manning 101 booths. Fiji Arts Council Workshop 2 Department of National Trade Measurement and Standards Continuous Participation of the Department of National Trade Measurement and Standards in the CABUREK Programme The Department of National Trade Measurement and Standards (DNTMS) continued its participation in the Capacity Building Using Regional Experiences and Knowledge (CABUREK) Programme to strengthen and improve metrology services in Fiji. CABUREK is an instrument developed Fiji’s Engagement in Cyber Security Regional and implemented in cooperation between the Inter-American Metrology System Standardisation Enhancement Programme (SIM), the Organisation of American States The Ministry, through Department of National Series Standard with the assistance of the (OAS) and the Physikalisch-Technische Trade Measurement and Standards is engaged Ministry. Bundesanstalt (PTB). CABUREK was under the Cyber Security Standardisation introduced to the Asia-Pacific Region in Enhancement Programme with Standard Under this programme, Fiji also participated 2018 under the framework of Metrology Australia (SA) to strengthen cyber security in the Cyber Security Forum held from 4-5 – Enabling Developing Economies in protection and encourage International April 2019 in Sydney. The forum focused on Asia. The 2-year programme, funded by Organisation for Standardisation/ the importance of cyber security, industries PTB Germany, began in November 2018 International Electrotechnical Commission perspective on cyber security, importance for and will end in November 2020. (ISO/IEC) Standards in Fiji. implementing these standards and the impact to strengthen cyber security protection in the DNTMS attended the first CABUREK On March 2019, SA conducted stakeholder Pacific region. Through this programme, SA Workshop in November 2018 in Bangkok, meeting on ISO/IEC 27000 - Information will identify the needs of Fiji and develop an Thailand and second Workshop was held Technology-Security Techniques – implementation plan accordingly. in April 2019 in Sri Lanka. Information Security Management Systems Proposed Guideline on Single Storey Houses and Schools in Rural Areas Annual Verification of Land Transport To strengthen the building Authority’s Red-light and Speed Cameras structures in rural areas and The Department of National of the cameras ability to capture villages in Fiji, the Ministry is Trade Measurement and the speed accuracy as well as the working with the World Bank Standards (DNTMS) carried ability to capture the different Group to develop Guidelines out the annual verification of colored number plates. on Single Storey Houses and the Land Transport Authority’s Schools. (LTA) red light and speed When a vehicle is detected cameras. speeding or going through a Stakeholder meetings on the red light, a digital image of the proposed Guideline were held The red light and speed cameras vehicle is recorded, as well as from 20-24 May 2019. These are verified and certified every information of the offence. The included relevant agencies and 12 months in accordance with image clearly shows the type, line Ministries to gather feedback the National Trade Measurement make and number plate of the on the proposed Guideline and Act 1989. In May 2019, Trade vehicle. Digital images also to ascertain its coverage. Measurement Inspectors verified include date, time and location of The proposed Guideline will a total of 14 red lights and speed the offence including the lane in This Guideline will incorporate provide minimum guidance cameras in Pacific Harbor. which the vehicle was travelling, information from Fiji’s to the general public to build direction of travel, detected National Building Code and resilient building structures These devices underwentspeed and speed limit applying good construction practices that can withstand category 5 comprehensive testing to the road, or red light time, from the “Build Back Better” cyclones. This will be presented procedures to ensure the and other security and integrity approach and “Help for Home” to the stakeholders by late July accuracy of the offense detection parameters. The speed cameras work by various partners and 2019. This will include validation and the reliability of the and red light speed cameras Government agencies after of the material and also feedback equipment. In addition, test ensure drivers slow down and Tropical Cyclone Winston. on the Guideline. procedures involve the testing help reduce road accidents. Economic Unit 3 National Job Fair Monitoring and The Ministry, on 24 and 25 April 2019, participated in the National Job Fair Evaluation organised by the National Employment The Ministry’s Monitoring Centre, under the Ministry of Employment, and Evaluation (M&E) Unit Productivity and Industrial Relations, in continued with site inspections collaboration with the Fiji Higher Education in the Western and Central\ Commission at the FMF Gymnasium. Eastern Division, to validate and verify information provided The National Job Fair aimed at creating by applicants of the Micro and awareness of clear pathways from education Small Business Grant (MSBG). to productive employment, provide a platform for young Fijians to look at A total of 2,129 applicants (30 employment opportunities and seek advise applications in Rakiraki, 96 in and prospects of internship. The target Nadi, 17 in Lautoka, 147 in Ba, group for the National Job Fair were Fijians 482 in Sigatoka, 94 in Navua and currently in the school system, and those Namosi, 390 in Suva & Nasinu, that were not in education, or training and 241 in Naitasiri, 116 in Rewa and were unemployed. 516 in Tailevu) were validated. The approved list of applicants A total of 273 attendees, including young graduates interested to be funded is currently being finalised to be considered for ‘ in joining the Ministry, visited the Ministry booth. cheque processing. TCF Council Cheque Handover In recognising the fundamental contribution of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) industry towards Fiji’s GDP, the Ministry continues to support the TCF Council through the Annual Marketing Grant. The industry faces various stiff Ministry Signs MoU with the Fiji National Provident Fund competition in today’s highly The Special Economic Zone the land use, development and competitive global market. The (SEZ) Project in Lautoka, reached operation of the SEZ Project. Marketing Grant of $100,000, an important milestone through initially introduced in 2009, aims the signing of a Memorandum of The MoU will also enable to enhance export of Fijian TCF Council endeavours to secure new Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and FNPF to products in the international markets through Research and the Ministry of Industry, Trade strengthen partnership and work fora through adaptation of the Development and diversifying and Tourism (Ministry) and the together