The Cabinet has approved an Exchange of Notes with the Government of Japan and a Grant Funding Agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to provide $15 million in grant funding to Airports Fiji Pte Ltd.
According to a statement released yesterday, under the Grant Funding Agreement, JICA will procure and install aircraft surveillance systems at Nadi International Airport and Labasa Airport. Additionally, JICA will provide consultancy services aimed at improving aviation safety.
The funding will also be used to acquire five fire trucks for Nausori, Labasa, Savusavu, and Matei Airports, as well as three rescue boats for Nadi International Airport.
In other news, Cabinet has decided to open up the Public Service Broadcasting to other media organizations starting from the next financial year. This was stated by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka following Cabinet meetings on July 2 and 15, 2024.
Prime Minister Rabuka noted that previously, the Government had exclusively engaged Fiji Broadcasting Corporation to deliver public service broadcasting through radio and TV. The new decision aims to promote fairness and create a level playing field in the media industry. The People’s Coalition Government plans to involve other service providers to ensure broader coverage on public interest issues and to foster fair competition in the media sector.