$200 million loan is to help Fiji stabilize and revitalize the economy - Fumihiro

In a bid to help Fiji stabilize and revitalize the economy, Japan has provided the government with an emergency loan of $200 million for Fiji’s COVID-19 response.

While signing the loan agreement, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says this support from Japan will further allow Fiji to strengthen its COVID defences particularly the public health system.

Bainimarama says it will equip the frontline workers as Fiji prepares to step through the door of a post-pandemic future.

He adds the key to the door is vaccines and that is why Fiji at every opportunity is advocating for equitable access to vaccines.

Bainimarama says Japan’s plan to host the Olympics in July gives us all hope that life as we knew it is within reach.

The Japanese Ambassador to Fiji, Kawakami Fumihiro says the loan will be provided with extremely concessional conditions with 0.01% interest rate and 15 years of repayment period with 4 years grace period.

He says this loan is the largest in Japan's long history of aid assistance to Fiji.