Some matters and challenges cannot be resolved simply by relying on the traditional spheres of influence which we belong to or have belonged to, many a time dictated by our colonial past and by certain metropolitan powers.
These are the words of Fiji's Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama as he officially opened the historic meeting of Pacific Island leaders with the theme "Engaging with the Pacific".
Commodore Bainimarama also stressed that breaking away from the shackles of the past will make some around us uncomfortable, but is must be done.
The Prime Minister also offered assistance to the small island states and stressed the need for collaboration and cooperation amongst the Pacific islands.
Commodore Bainimarama than went on to highlight the work being undertaken by the government to bring about public sector reforms through the Strategic Framework for Change and the Peoples Charter, the Land reforms being undertaken to make more land available for commercial purposes and the new legislations which the government is now implementing.
Story by: Roneel Lal & Dreu Vukailagi
Feature
Break away from the shackles of the past
