The People’s Coalition Cabinet has agreed that the Ministry of Trade will enter into a three-year MOU with Aether Pacific Pharmaceuticals Ltd trading as Medical Kiwi, to establish a framework for cooperation and collaboration between Medical Kiwi and the Government for the development of medicinal cannabis in Fiji.
Medical Kiwi is a registered company in New Zealand.
It is a market leader in New Zealand, in the cultivation and export of medicinal cannabis and cannabidiol to export markets using innovative science and technology.
Cabinet says Medical Kiwi intends to build an extraction and manufacturing facility in Fiji.
The facility aims to eventually obtain the Good Manufacturing Practices certification for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical markets.
When the medical cannabis industry is established by law and policy in Fiji for cultivation and export, Medical Kiwi would still be required to apply for the appropriate license and adhere to the rules and regulations stipulated.
Medical Kiwi endeavors to invest a minimum of $65 million within 3 to 5 years, subject to the extent permissible by law.
In line with the decisions made by the cabinet last year, the cabinet task force was set up to carry out other tasks decided during the outcome of the meeting.
The task force was mandated to oversee the feasibility of this industry and assess the laws required for this emerging market.
They discussed media engagements, public and community consultations, and private sector engagements.
A total of 17 nationwide and community consultations from 9th October 2023 to 28th November 2023 were carried out providing the Taskforce with insights into the socio-economic impacts of this proposal.
They registered a total of 513 participants, where 287 members of the public engaged during the community consultations, and 226 participants engaged during the public consultations.
Cabinet also noted that the Market Development Facility (MDF) will fund the feasibility study.
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