Press Releases

Signing and Exchange of Notes on “the Stand-by Loan for Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation (Phase 2)” and “the Project for Improvement of Aviation Safety Facilities at Major Airports” to the Republic of Fiji

September 18, 2024

On September 18, in Suva, the capital of the Republic of Fiji, H.E. Mr. MICHII Rokuichiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Fiji, and the Honourable Biman Chand Prasad, Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics of the Republic of Fiji, signed and exchanged notes for “the Stand-by Loan for Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation (Phase 2)”, Yen loan [see Note 1] up to 5 billion yen.

(Note 1) Yen loan: Yen loans support developing countries by providing low-interest, long-term and concessional funds to finance their development efforts. For developing countries, since the funds are subject to repayment to Japan, it is expected to lead to effective utilization and self-sustaining development.
And the Ambassador and the Honourable Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, signed and exchanged notes for “the Project for Improvement of Aviation Safety Facilities at Major Airports” (project up to 1.29 billion yen).

  1. “The Stand-by Loan for Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation (Phase 2)”
    1. Outline of the Project
      Fiji is one of the countries in the Pacific region with the highest occurrence of natural disasters, such as cyclones.. This project will support the Fiji Government's policy on disaster risk reduction and management. In addition, in order to prepare for the increased financial needs during post-disaster recovery, the project will support rapid recovery after a natural disaster by agreeing in advance that the Fijian government may request loans for disaster recovery costs upon declaration of a natural disaster by the government.
    2. Loan terms
      Interest rate: 0.4% per annum
      Repayment period: 40 years (including a 10-year grace period)
      Procurement terms: untied
  2. “The Project for Improvement of Aviation Safety Facilities at Major Airports”
    Fiji is a major transportation hub in the Oceania region, and Nadi International Airport functions as a regional hub airport. However, the equipment and facilities related to air traffic control and safety, which are necessary for the safe takeoff and landing of aircraft, require modernization and upgrades.
    Under this cooperation, air traffic control and safety equipment will be provided and maintained at five airports, including Nadi International Airport, the largest international airport in Fiji, which is also the site of direct flights to Japan. This will improve the safety of aircraft operations and contribute to strengthening connectivity in the Oceania region.
  3. In the “Leaders Declaration” and the "Joint Action Plan" issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held on July 18, Japan has announced “Climate Change and Disasters” and” Technology and Connectivity” as priority areas of cooperation, and these projects embody the Plan.
(Reference1) Basic Data on the Republic of Fiji

The Republic of Fiji covers 18,270 square kilometers and has a population of 936,375 people (2023, World Bank). It has a per capita gross national income (GNI) of US$5,580 (2023, World Bank).

(Reference2) 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10)

On July 18, the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) was co-chaired by Prime Minister KISHIDA and Prime Minister BROWN of the Cook Islands, the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The Meeting was attended by the leaders and representatives of 19 countries, regions and regional organization including Japan, 14 Pacific Island countries, two French overseas collectivities, Australia, and New Zealand, and the chair of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA represented the Republic of Fiji.
The Government of Japan announced Japan’s commitment to continue its robust development assistance and support for more than 6,500 people-to-people exchanges as well as human resource development over the next three years based on the seven priority areas of cooperation which are in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent or “2050 Strategy" of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): (1) Political Leadership and Regionalism, (2) People-centered Development, (3) Peace and Security, (4) Resources and Economic Development, (5) Climate Change and Disasters, (6) Ocean and Environment, (7) Technology and Connectivity.


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