Fiji’s Deputy PM Manoa Kamikamica Visits Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel to Explore Cooperation

Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica paid a courtesy visit to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar, as announced in a release on Thursday. During their meeting, Kamikamica expressed Fiji’s interest in cooperation, particularly in leveraging Gujarat’s global reputation in the agricultural sector, including the dairy industry.

In addition to agriculture, discussions also covered advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and information and communication technology (ICT), as well as potential collaborations in the cybersecurity sector. The Chief Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the significant development Gujarat has achieved under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, noting that Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister established Gujarat as a model for growth.

Kamikamica recalled Modi’s visit to Fiji in 2014

Kamikamica recalled Modi’s visit to Fiji in 2014, marking a significant connection between the two regions. Chief Minister Patel emphasized Gujarat’s leadership in renewable energy and green hydrogen production, mentioning that the world’s largest hybrid renewable energy park is currently under construction in Kutch. He also pointed out Gujarat’s waste-to-energy policy, which promotes biomass, biogas, and biofuel initiatives in agriculture.

The Deputy Prime Minister indicated that Fiji could support Gujarat in ethanol production, given the large-scale sugarcane cultivation in Fiji. In response, Patel invited a high-level delegation from Fiji to visit Gujarat to observe the state’s achievements across various sectors and understand the policies that have fostered its development as a policy-driven state.

Patel expressed optimism that the delegation’s visit would strengthen the partnership between India, Gujarat, and Fiji. He reiterated Gujarat’s commitment to aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a ‘Developed India by 2047,’ highlighting the state’s Road Map for 2047, which prioritizes ease of doing business and overall well-being.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that Gujarat’s Gift City has emerged as an international financial hub. Following the courtesy meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji is scheduled to visit Gift City and Amul in Anand. Accompanying the Chief Minister during the meeting were Additional Chief Secretary MK Das, Principal Secretary of the Industries Department Mamata Verma, and Secretary to the Chief Minister Avantika Singh, as noted in the release.