Fiji seeks cooperation in renewable energy and other sectors

KUALA LUMPUR: Sir Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Special Envoy for the Prime Minister of Fiji, said the South Pacific country sought greater cooperation with Malaysia, especially in the renewable energy sector.
Noting Malaysia's experience in renewable energy, as something Fiji could learn from, he said cooperation in this sector could help the country overcome depleting sources of energy in the future.
"Our oil imports are very high too, although there has been a lot of talk that there are many potential oil sources to be discovered in Fiji.
"So, we need to concentrate on developing renewable energy such as solar energy and educating the people of Fiji on the importance of using solar energy," he told Bernama after paying a courtesy call on Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) general manager, Datuk Zulkefli Salleh at his office in Wisma Bernama, here.
Ratu Epeli, formerly the President of Fiji from 2009-2015, was also a guest of Bernama News Channel's (BNC) talk show during his visit, to talk about a documentary, 'Back to Batu Pahat', which will be aired on Oct 10.
The documentary, produced by BNC, is about Malaysia and Fiji military relations between 1952 and 1956, where the soldiers of both countries fought side by side during the Malayan Emergency.
Ratu Epeli also invited Malaysian businesses to carry out feasibility studies in Fiji, as the country has a lot more opportunities to offer on the business front, adding that both countries had a good long-standing relationship even before Fiji's independence in 1970.
According to Ratu Epeli, among the areas that would be attractive to Malaysian businesses are mining, fisheries, education and agriculture.
Meanwhile, Zulkefli described his meeting with Ratu Epeli as very informative and enlightening, as the latter shared Fiji's untapped opportunities as well as the media's role in the country.
He said both sides agreed that news accuracy was of great importance in maintaining peace and security in a country.
"Both of us also agreed that countering fake or inaccurate news must be carried out immediately to avoid prolonged misconception," he added. — Bernama