Fiji to offer tourism and hospitality scholarships

PRIME Minister James Marape says Fiji is offering scholarships to Papua New Guinea students interested in its tourism and hospitality programmes.
“This is for Papua New Guineans to go and get educated in Fijian (tourism and hospitality) institutions,” Marape said.
“As we all know, Fiji is a leading tourism destination in our Pacific.
“We thank (Fijian) Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka for this gesture and opportunity.”
Marape held a bilateral meeting with Rabuka on Friday, and enjoyed a brief round of golf late in the afternoon.
Marape indicated that there was a lot of Fijian investments in PNG, and PNG investments in Fiji, including a hotel and golf course owned by the Mineral Resources Development Company in Deuba.
He said they agreed on building relations not just on governing but also on business.
“This include deep cultural and people relationships,” he added.
Marape conveyed his apology to the people of East New Britain for the cancellation of Rabuka’s trip there on Friday.
He explained there were certain Fijian cultural protocol that Rabuka needed to observe, before visiting the graves of Fijian soldiers buried at the Rabaul War Cemetery. One of the soldiers, Victoria Cross posthumous recipient, Corporal (4469) Sefanaia Sukanaivalu, was shot dead by the Japanese in Bougainville during World War Two.
Rabuka said their visit to East New Britain was cancelled because they did not get approval from Fijian elders.
He comes from the same province as the late Sukanaivalu.
“The clearance is because of the Fijian tradition protocol which is accorded to me as the Prime Minister,” he said.
“Once all protocol is done, there will be a visit to East New Britain which we hope will involve the paramount chief (in Fiji).”
Rabuka, also the Home Affairs Minister, said the Fiji Military Forces would welcome PNG soldiers joining in its international peacekeeping missions, and training in Fiji.
Fiji soldiers have been involved since 1978 in United Nations-sanctioned peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, Sinai and Iraq.