Switzerland has congratulated Fiji’s election as chair of the Group of 77, a powerful informal lobby group within the United Nations.

And, Wellington based Swiss Ambassador, Dr Marion Weichelt Krupski says it’s a great honor for Fiji to lead the G77, whose membership has grown to 132 member states including China.

PACNEWS reports Dr Krupski is in Suva this week to open Switzerland’s first honorary consul in Fiji, to be overseen by Swiss national working in Fiji, Rolf Gfeller. Gfeller, an engineer by profession works for Goodman Fielder.

Dr Krupski says the opening of the Honorary Swiss Consulate General in Suva brings the still young bilateral relations a significant step further.

She adds her country will step up its people to people contacts with Fiji and is offering scholarships for Fijian graduates from all fields to pursue doctoral or post doctoral research in Switzerland.

Fiji and Switzerland established consular relations in 1981 and diplomatic relations, nine years later