Fiji is well on track to adopt and comply with international standards and best practices and ensuring these are reflected in government policies and programs.
While speaking in parliament, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Natural Disaster Management Joeli Cawaki said this was achieved by favoring smart partnerships with non-state actors, civil society and development partners.
He says there is a shift in the government’s effort towards developing the underdeveloped parts of the country and this is to bring about a fair balance in development leaving no one behind, especially the vulnerable and the poor.
Cawaki says women, men, children, youth and those living with disabilities can then have access to assistance, opportunities, build capacities and sustainably use various resources at their disposal to raise their standard of living.
He says there were demands from communities for rural carpenter training and the government took up the initiative, which is funded by the national budget.
Cawaki says the training has helped a lot of people in rural areas to gain skills in carpentry.
Cawaki says Provincial Divisional Development Boards with the National Steering Committee as the head, is the structure that is tasked to scrutinize and prioritize development in provinces and divisions in an inclusive manner.
