The Governments of Japan and Fiji have officially signed an Exchange of Notes and a Grant Agreement to initiate the Project for Improvement of Aviation Safety Facilities, valued at approximately FJ$19 million or 1.29 billion Japanese Yen.
The signing ceremony took place this morning at the Office of the Prime Minister, overseen by Fiji’s Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sitiveni Rabuka, and the Ambassador of Japan to Fiji, H.E. Rokuichiro Michii.
The aim of the project is to enhance the safety of aircraft operations in Fiji and to bolster the country’s transport infrastructure capacity for sustainable growth. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide equipment and technical support for the initiative. The equipment included in the project comprises two VHF Omnidirectional Radio Beacons or Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME), five Airport Fire Engines, and three Rescue Boats.
Implementation of the project will focus on major airport facilities, including Nadi International Airport, Nausori Airport, Labasa, Savusavu, and Matei Airports.
Prime Minister Rabuka expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for its significant assistance that is expected to greatly enhance Fiji’s aviation safety and services. He highlighted that this contribution supports Fiji’s role as a regional hub, especially following the recent opening of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Pacific liaison office in Nadi, which underscores ICAO’s confidence in Fiji’s aviation sector.
Ambassador Michii stated that the project not only aims to improve Fiji’s aviation sector but also to strengthen the bond between the governments and peoples of Japan and Fiji. He emphasized that Fiji’s strategic geographical location uniquely positions it as a hub for regional connectivity in the Pacific.
This project is seen as a critical step toward enhancing aviation connectivity across the region by providing essential technology and equipment. Ambassador Michii also noted that today’s Exchange of Notes signing marks the second of five agreements that will be formalized this month, collectively valued at around FJ$133 million. He reaffirmed Japan’s ongoing support for Fiji’s development priorities, as reflected in the recently launched National Development Plan 2025-2029 by the Coalition Government.