World Bank Group President’s visit is significant – Prof. Prasad

The visit by the President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga is a significant one in terms of financing Fiji and the rest of the Pacific Islands.

This was highlighted by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad during the welcoming ceremony for the President of the World Bank Group at the Grand Pacific Hotel last night.

Professor Prasad says this is a very historic visit by the President as this is the first in 50 years considering that the World Bank is Fiji’s biggest development partner amongst others.

He says the visit is really appreciated, and the coalition government is looking forward to working with the World Bank.

Banga arrived in Suva yesterday and was accorded a traditional ceremony at the GPH last night.

Banga will be in the country for a two-day visit.

He will meet with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Pacific leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and also meet with Deputy Prime Minister Professor Prasad for a bilateral meeting today.

Banga will also visit two project sites before he flies to Tuvalu.