Australia invests $8.8 million for job creation and livelihoods in Fiji

Today I am pleased to announce a further $8.8 million over four years to support job creation and local business in Fiji.

Initiatives such as these are at the very heart of Australia's new aid policy which seeks to achieve better development outcomes in partnership with the private sector.

The Market Development Facility (MDF) is the Australian Government's flagship program for private sector development in Fiji. It creates sustainable livelihoods, boosts growth and creates jobs through partnerships with local business across Fiji's tourism, horticulture and export processing sectors.

I attended an exhibition of MDF success stories today and was impressed by the business partnerships being supported by MDF.

One of these, Devesh and Bharros Farms, has aspirations to become the largest commercial seedling nursery in Fiji. By supplying seedlings and information to local farmers on key crops for tourism and export, this initiative will help boost local production, allowing farmers to diversify into new high value crops.

Australia will continue to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth through our aid program. Our continued support for private sector initiatives such as the MDF Program will help drive job creation and new opportunities in Fiji, particularly for those in rural areas and outer islands.