"The Fiji Australia Business Council urges the Interim Prime Minister to re-consider his decision not to attend the Forum Ministers' meeting in Port Moresby. While the Council understands the challenges that arise from the damage caused by the flooding, this cannot downplay the equally great importance the upcoming meeting has for Fiji.

The business community needs a clear path forward for Fiji; this is essential to foster business confidence and to build an environment in which investment can be encouraged. What is needed above all is an environment that puts bilateral trade relationships on a surer footing.

The current issues relating to Fiji at the upcoming meeting do not assist in this cause. Deferring the meeting or its outcomes will result in extending the current uncertainty.

The absence of the Interim Prime Minister from that meeting will result in another missed opportunity for the Interim Prime Minister to personally present the Interim Government's position; decisions that may be made in the absence of that personal attendance and representation risks further deterioration in our bilateral and multilateral trade relationships. Neither of these outcomes will assist the business community in helping re-build Fiji's economy through new investment and trade." Fiji Australia Business Council, 23/01/09.