Fiji’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ratu Meli Bainimarama met with the Director of INFOFISH International, Dr. Abdul Kunhimohamed at the Fiji Chancery this week.
Dr. Kunhimohamed briefed the High Commissioner on the work undertaken by INFOFISH International which currently has 14 members including Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. He also extended an invitation for Fiji to be a member of the organisation because of the benefits that could be enjoyed by Fiji like other members. In addition, Fiji has a lot to contribute to the organisation.
Dr. Kunhimohamed also extended an invitation for Fiji to host the next Pacific Tuna Conference in September 2015. The Conference was hosted by the Solomon Islands this year and drew a large number of delegates from the world over. In acknowledging the invitation, High Commissioner said that Fiji has been hosting a lot of international conferences and is well equipped in terms of infrastructure, logistics and air routes to host the conference in 2015.
As a prelim to the Fiji’s joining INFOFISH International, High Commissioner suggested, also in response to an invitation, for relevant Fiji officials to attend the INFOFISH Governing Council Meeting later in December this year as observers. Dr. Kunhinmohamed welcomed the suggestion and advised that they would be more than happy to accommodate Fiji at the meeting.
“The global development in the fisheries sector has grown manifold and if it is to prosper and be sustained as a gainful industry in Fiji especially as a safeguard for food security and employment generation, Fiji’s international network needs to be expanded and INFOFISH International presents a good opportunity for this”, said High Commissioner Bainimarama.
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