The New Zealand government has allocated fourty six point six million dollars for under NZ’s aid programme for 2015-2019.

The assistance is in the areas of agriculture value chains, skills training and building capacity in the public sector.

Fiji’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and his NZ counterpart Murray McCully yesterday signed a Development Cooperation Arrangement following their ministerial consultation.

The Arrangement will see New Zealand assisting Fiji in economic development, skills training or workforce development, and the creation of institutional link.

It rose out of the need for both countries to enhance bilateral relations and put in place an overarching framework of cooperation.

In terms of climate change the two Ministers agreed to explore assistance that will enable Fiji to access clean, efficient and affordable energy sources through direct investment and technology transfer to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.

Under the NZ Scholarship 20 Fijians will be selected for various programs this year.

The 2 ministers have also agreed to work together in preparing Fiji for the Triennial Global Oceans Conference to be hosted in June 2017.

The fourth consultation will be hosted by Minister McCully in NZ next year.