Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama has asked for India’s support to gain access to the finance Fiji needs to build its resilience to the extreme weather events and rising sea levels caused by climate change.
While meeting Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in New Delhi earlier this morning, Bainimarama said that Fiji is extremely concerned that a single event scoring a direct hit on Fiji could wipe out our economy.
He says we urgently need funding to rebuild or reinforce our homes and infrastructure to prepare for the more frequent and intense cyclones that the scientists say are coming.
Bainimarama told Modi that one of the examples was to build our electrical cables underground not overhead.
He also asked India to support Fiji’s candidacy for president of the UN General Assembly at the election next month.
Bainimarama says it is time for a Pacific islands candidate to enhance the region’s status at a time when we are trying to draw global attention to the crisis we face from climate change.
He says Fiji believes that with his knowledge of the UN system, Ambassador Peter Thomson is the best candidate.
Bainimarama also asked India to consider providing heavy trucks for the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
He says the RFMF currently lacks the ability to move large numbers of men and equipment and this has been a hindrance during the cyclone relief effort, in which the RFMF has played a major role.
Bainimarama also told Modi that he has held talks today with Apollo Hospitals about playing a greater role in our health system.
He says about two other Indian hospitals have also shown interest.
Bainimarama says we not only encourage such hospitals into Fiji to provide services to our people but also as part of our greater strategy to have medical tourism from Australia, New Zealand, and other pacific island countries.
He also confirms that the Japanese have shown interest in setting up retirement villages in Fiji but would require such hospitals in the first place.
Bainimarama says an advanced medical services sector would greatly enhance our economic well‑being.
Speaking to Fijivillage from New Delhi, Bainimarama says the meeting with Modi was excellent and there was a very positive response to the issues highlighted by Fiji.
