Bainimarama wants Vanuatu expertise on cattle

Prime Minister Sato Kilman told his Fijian counterpart , Commodore Frank Bainimarama that Fiji is an important trade partner in the region and the most important for the Melanesian Spearhead Group members countries.

Mr Kilman said the visit of Commodore Bainimarama this week in Vanuatu as the chairman of the MSG is a clear sign of the Fiji's role in trade in the region.

During a lunch hosted by local farmer, David Russet last Sunday on his farm at Bellevue, Commodore Bainimarama praised Vanuatu for its beef quality.

He said that each time he visited Vanuatu, he has to bring back some kilos with him.

The Fijian leader said that his government will bring over Mr Russet to Fiji and gives him a piece of land to graze cattle.

Mr Russet is an old friend of Mr Bainimara. He has already been in Fiji to survey its beef industry.
According to his findings, Fiji has more than nine thousand head of cattle compared to more than 180,000 in Vanuatu.

According to Mr Russet, Commodore Bainimarama said he expected to beat Vanuatu in number of cattle and improve the quality its beef.

He said that he hopes that with the expertise of Mr Russet, Fiji will overtake Vanuatu in cattle industry.
Commodore Bainimarama  said that at the moment, Fiji imports meat products from New Zealand.

Mr Kilman said that Vanuatu is also importing products from New Zealand as well as Australia but among Melanesian countries and other Pacific countries there is a lot of potential.

Mr Kilman said that now it is up to the leaders in region and MSG countries to see the potential   and to  develop as much as they can.

He said that it not only talks during business forum and the MSG summit but the leaders have to put in practice.

He told Commodore Bainimarama that Vanuatu is not only known for the best quality of its beef but reminded him that Vanuatu has  also the best kava in the world.

Mr Kilman said Vanuatu is yet to beat Fiji on tourism industry.