World Bank Fiji News Feed

US$7.4m (FJ$16m) to bolster Fiji’s longer-term COVID-19 health sector needs, as well as to prepare for future infectious disease threats SUVA, June 25, 2020 – The World Bank has approved funding of US$7.4 million (approx. FJ$16 million) to further support the Government of Fiji to strengthen its health systems in the wake of the COVID-19 emergency. With Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama having declared Fiji COVID-19 contained, the focus is now turning to efforts to provide longer-term health security for Fijians, and to the economic recovery phase. This World Bank support will assist the Government of Fiji to strengthen its... Read more »

IDA Credit Crisis Response Window Resources: US$5.5 million equivalent IDA Credit: US$0.9 million equivalent Terms: Maturity = 40 years, Grace = 10 years Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility Grant: US$952,380 million Project ID: P173903 Project Description: The project development objective is to prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19 and strengthen national systems for public health preparedness in the Republic of Fiji.... Read more »

Tell us about yourself. I am originally from a very beautiful group of islands to the far east of Fiji, known as the Lau Group. Growing up in Fiji, one has got to know the basic skills of survival. Given that we are an island nation and the ocean surrounds us from every side, the ocean is a livelihood for us.  But the severe weather, like tropical cyclones, can cause a lot of damage. That is why I pursued a career in the field of meteorology. And I have been in meteorology for almost 15 years now.  What does the... Read more »

Tell us about yourselves and your work.  Setareki: I am from Fulaga (Vulaga) Island in Lau Province in Fiji and I started sailing when I was very young. My great, great grand-uncle was involved with the construction of the drua, the Ratu Finau, which was built back in 1913 and is currently being housed at the Fiji museum.  I moved to the capital, Suva, to study engineering at university and I lived with my uncle just outside the city. He still built his own traditional canoes and my cousin and I used to go sailing in them for fun. One day, the Uto Ni Yalo, a double-masted traditional Polynesian sailing canoe built... Read more »

Apisalome’s journey has taken him to Australia where he completed a PhD in tourism and sustainability, back to Fiji to work with the not-for-profit he co-founded, the Laucala Beach Sustainability Society. Apisalome is also one of the first ‘Pacific Oceans Finance Fellows’. The fellowship program is designed to help scale up action on ocean finance initiatives in Pacific Islands Governments, institutions and communities. It is part of the Pacific Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP) - funded by the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility - and implemented through the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Association and the Office of the Pacific... Read more »

Download laporan lengkap [PDF] disini. | Ringkasan laporan dalam Bahasa (PDF) Rekomendasi Utama Negara-negara berkembang di Asia Timur dan Pasifik, yang tengah berjuang meghadapi ketegangan perdagangan internasional (trade tension) dan COVID-19, sekarang dihadapkan pada guncangan ekonomi global ketika pandemi melanda ekonomi-ekonomi utama di dunia. Negara-negara Asia Timur dan Pasifik harus bertindak cepat, kooperatif, dan dalam skala yang besar. Laporan ini memberikan enam rekomendasi kebijakan utama untuk pengambil kebijakan di negara – negara di Kawasan Asia Timur Pasifik:Sesuaikan kebijakan kesehatan dan kebijakan ekonomi makro. Untuk mencegah penyebaran infeksi, banyak pemerintah mengambil langkah-langkah pengendalian transmisi seperti lockdown dan larangan bepergian untuk “meratakan kurva... Read more »

Download the full report here. Summary of Key Recommendations Developing economies in East Asia and the Pacific (EAP), already struggling with international trade tensions and COVID-19, now face a global shock as the pandemic hits major economies around the world. EAP countries must act quickly, cooperatively, and at scale. The report provides six main policy recommendations for countries:Adjust both health policies and macroeconomic policies. Urgently boost health care capacity to meet what may be an overwhelming demand for a sustained period. Adjust fiscal and monetary policy to meet the COVID-19 crisis. In the financial sector, ease access to credit for households to ease... Read more »

What inspired you to become a dentist? I was born on the island of Kadavu in Fiji and my mother was a dental therapist. When I was growing up, I was always around the dental clinic, and I think that was one of the major draws for me. Plus I’ve always wanted to help people and I saw it as a good avenue to do that.  Are there barriers for Pacific women to enter dentistry? During my mother’s time, there were a few women in dentistry, but mostly [dental] therapists. There weren’t many women who were fully-qualified dentists.  But, I... Read more »

How did you get into playing rugby? I lost my mum when I was 18, and growing up on the island of Gau in Fiji, I was struggling with life. A friend hooked me up with rugby and I really enjoyed it. It stopped me from doing other things that could have been bad, and then I represented Fiji in Sevens and Fifteens, and it changed my life. Back then, 10 to 15 years ago, women weren't accepted. It was very hard because a lot of discrimination was happening, but that didn't stop me from doing it. I met friends... Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 7, 2019 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved US$64 million in support for Fiji’s efforts to strengthen its medium-term fiscal sustainability, improve the country’s business climate, and build resilience to climate change. The new operation will also support enhancements to Fiji’s business environment through improvements to Fiji’s business registration procedures, as well as improved access to finance – particularly for women. It is the second in a series of two World Bank operations to support Fiji. “Fiji’s surging partnership with the World Bank is represented by far more than the monetary value of... Read more »