"Fiji's role in the MSG cannot be underestimated".
Those were the words of former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare in his opening address of the Melanesian Spearhead group silver jubilee celebrations at USP this morning.
Sir Michael said trade and economic relations have blossomed for the past 25 years after the MSG was formed in 1988 with Fiji playing an instrumental role especially with Papua New Guinea.
Sir Michael added from a mere three items which includes tinned fish, tea and beef on Fiji's trade schedule with PNG, it has now gone over a thousand tariff free items.
Sir Michael also said the Pacific needs an emergency response unit.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka said he never regretted the decision he made in 1996 to include Fiji in the MSG.
USP will host the three days of silver jubilee celebrations for the MSG.
Story by: Akuila Cama.
