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Publish Date : 03-Jun-2013

The visit by a nine member team of experts from Indonesia's Ministry of Public Works to assist Fiji's municipalities in the field of urban planning and management is a milestone for the country.

Minister for Local Government, Urban Development and Housing, Mr Samuela Saumatua, while welcoming the Indonesian delegation, said the visit is an opportunity for knowledge and skills transfer between the two countries.

"Now knowledge and skills transfer between Indonesia and Fiji in the field of urban planning, engineering and urban management will be realized. This is a professional field which is critical in Fiji for it has an impact on urban growth as the country is now categorized as an urbanized economy," Mr Saumatua said.

Mr Saumatua said engineering and town planning is a desperate need for Fiji at this particular time.

"The government of Fiji acknowledges the constraints it has in managing urban centres and subsequently, it is pursuing opportunities to build capacity, best practices and practices for adaptation in addressing urban issues in Fiji," Mr Saumatua said.

"There are many other professional areas that contribute to managing the urban areas, playing an integral role in guiding towns, cities, the society and its people."

The minister said international technical assistance and collaboration such as these, not only provide the platform for capacity building initiatives, but also allows an exchange of ideas and forms partnerships towards a course for the betterment of Fijians.

Mr Saumatua thanked the Indonesian Government for its many forms of assistance and support to Fiji through its embassy here.
"This is particularly in conjunction with the Ministry of Women in looking at areas of poverty that relates to the running of the township, housing and environment. For that we are very grateful," minister Saumatua said.

"Republic of Indonesia is known for its assistance in the area of capacity building for the last 20 years. Our people have had the opportunity to learn practices in agriculture and skills in craftsmanship, which includes carving and furniture making. We have been taught how to use bamboo to produce furniture and we are now beginning to develop this skill."

Head of delegation and the director general for Indonesia's Spatial Planning and Development, Mr Basuki Hadimuljono said the collaboration between Fiji and Indonesia to enhance urban development locally would go a long way in improving the quality of the spatial planning.

"In this cooperation with the Republic of Fiji, we hope to strengthen the South- South Cooperation. Besides, we are also very eager to learn how you manage your coastal and rural areas," Mr Hadimuljono said.

"I hope this collaboration will be beneficial for our society as a whole and increase the prosperity of our communities and secure our environment in a very sustainable way."

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