There were lobbying from the three countries (Fiji, Samoa and PNG) that had expressed interest in the location of the office. Fiji also verbally informed that the Forum Secretariat and Australia (through European Investment Bank) had expressed interest in hosting the Office.
The objective of the CDE is to assist in the development of the private sector and small and medium enterprises, including tourism in the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. The CDE is a joint ACP-EU institution founded under the Cotonou Partnership Agreement and is funded under the European Development Fund (EDF).
It is hoped that with the establishment of the Regional CDE office in Fiji, it will enhance the role and initiatives pursued by the Fiji Trade and Investment Board, in relation to private sector development at the national level.
In the meeting of the ACP Ambassadors (PACP) with the Director and Senior Officials of the Centre of Development of Enterprises (CDE) on Friday 19th February 2010, the Director advised that CDE carried out the necessary due diligence and reconciled this with their own requirements on the following basis:
• Security;
• Political stability;
• Ease of intra-ACP communication;
• Ease of telecommunication;
• Office space;
• Cost of residence; and
• Social issues such as education, medical facilities.
The result of the assessment was that Fiji will be in the best position to host the CDE Regional Office.
In terms of next step, the Brussels’ Embassy will be meeting with the CDE Director and the Head of the Operations Department on the launching of the project including the required logistics which would include the following:
• That CDE will be writing to the Government of Fiji through the Brussels’ Embassy to inform of the decision by next week;
• The entering into an Establishment Contract between CDE and the Government of Fiji;
• Cabinet will have to be appraised of this development and may have to approve certain diplomatic privileges to be accorded to the office; and
• It is anticipated that the office will be up and running in the next 3-5 months, if all goes well, with the Head of Mission from Brussels and up to five staff recruited from the Pacific Region.
After the announcement of the decision by the CDE Director, Fiji expressed its deep appreciation and humility on the decision to the Director of CDE, and assured to expedite the processes leading to the opening of the Office in Suva. The Pacific Ambassadors and the Director of CDE congratulated Fiji and offered their support in the establishment of the Regional Office.
This is a very good opportunity for the Fiji Government to capitalise on and strengthen its relationship with the EU and the regional countries.