The President of the Australia Fiji Business Council, Mr Bob Lyon (Managing Director Pacific, ANZ Banking Group), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) under which the Council and ABV will work together to build capacity in businesses in Fiji.

Mr George Morrow, Chief Executive, signed the MOU on behalf of ABV.

"We are delighted to enter into this relationship to work together in developing business capacity in Fiji’, Mr Lyon and Mr Morrow said.

"It is essential for Fiji’s economic and social development that its economy grows on the back of private business development."

"There are many synergies between ABV and the Council which can be utilised to support and develop businesses in Fiji," Mr Lyon and Mr Morrow said.

ABV is a development agency, largely funded by AusAID, which seeks to reduce poverty and build sustainable economies in the developing countries of the Asia Pacific region. At the request of small businesses in these countries, ABV sends expert Australian volunteers to transfer workplace skills via training and mentoring, to build the skills capacity within these businesses.

The Australia Fiji Business Council was established in 1986 as a not-for-profit association to promote effective business relationships between Australia and Fiji through the promotion of trade and investment and supporting economic growth in Fiji. It operates alongside the Australia Papua New Guinea and Australia Pacific Islands Business Councils.

Australian Business Volunteers: Linda Elliott, Director - Communications (Tel + 61 2 6285 1686)

Australia Fiji Business Council: Frank Yourn, Executive Director (Tel +61 7 3348 5142)