Oleh/By		:	DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD 
Tempat/Venue 	: 	SRI PERDANA, KUALA LUMPUR 
Tarikh/Date 	: 	05/08/96 
Tajuk/Title  	: 	THE OFFICIAL DINNER HOSTED IN 
			HONOUR OF THE HONOURABLE SITIVENI 
			RABUKA, PRIME MINISTER OF THE 
			REPUBLIC OF FIJI 



     1.    It  gives me great pleasure, on behalf of  the
    Government  and people of Malaysia, to bid  you  and
    Madame   Suluweti  as  well  as  members   of   your
    delegation  a very warm welcome to Malaysia.   I  am
    delighted that you are able to visit Malaysia.  Your
    visit  will  provide  us  with  the  opportunity  to
    exchange views on issues of mutual concern.  I  hope
    your  brief stay in Kuala Lumpur will be a  fruitful
    and enjoyable one.
    
    2.    Malaysia and Fiji may be separated by the vast
    Pacific Ocean but physical distance has not  been  a
    barrier to fostering closer bilateral relations.   I
    recall  with fondness my own visit to Fiji  in  1982
    and my brief stop-over in July 1991.  I am confident
    that  your visit will mark another milestone in  our
    desire   to   strengthen  further  the   bridge   of
    friendship between our two countries.
    
    3.    Malaysia  is following with keen interest  the
    significant developments taking place in Fiji.   The
    courage  and  determination that you have  shown  in
    working towards Fiji's long term political stability
    through constitutional means with the support of the
    people  have been most commendable indeed.  We  wish
    you every success in your efforts in the interest of
    all Fijians.
    
    4.    In  the  field  of economy in particular,  the
    emphasis   that  your  government   is   giving   to
    developing  the  industrial sector  through  various
    incentives like the creation of tax free  zones  and
    industrial  zones  is also praiseworthy.   There  is
    also  great scope for tourism to become the  largest
    money-earner in place of sugar in Fiji.  We  commend
    you  on the various initiatives that you have  taken
    to expand the country's economic base and potentials
    so  as  to  generate greater growth for the economic
    well-being of the people.
    
    5.    Malaysia  enjoys a long history of cooperation
    with   Fiji.    We   remember  with  gratitude   the
    sacrifices made by Fijian soldiers during  the  time
    of the Emergency, in fighting gallantly side by side
    with  Malaysia, British, Australian and New  Zealand
    troops.  We are forever indebted to the sons of Fiji
    who  had  fallen in the defence of our  country.   I
    understand that some of the veterans who  served  in
    Malaysia are still alive and that some of them still
    recall  affectionately places such as Mersing,  Batu
    Pahat and Johore Bahru where they once served.   Our
    warmest  regards go to all of them with  the  prayer
    that  they may continue to enjoy good health in  the
    years ahead.
    
    6.    Bilateral trade between Malaysia and  Fiji  at
    RM96.3  million for 1995, is still relatively small.
    There  is  a  need to encourage greater interactions
    and  collaboration between members  of  the  private
    sector  of  both  sides.  Some big  names  like  the
    Berjaya  Group and Kuok Brothers from Malaysia  have
    already  made their presence felt in Fiji.   We  are
    also happy to see our national car, the Proton Saga,
    making  inroads into the Fijian market.   Given  the
    right  incentives and support by both governments  I
    am  confident that greater efforts could be made  to
    exploit   the  opportunities  available  to  further
    enhance   mutually  beneficial  trade  and  economic
    collaboration between the two countries.
    
    7.     Malaysia  has  benefitted  considerably  from
    experiences  gained in the field of nation  building
    and  socio-economic development.  As a member of the
    South  we  believe in sharing such  experiences  for
    mutual  benefit.  There is much that  we  can  learn
    from  each other.  In this regard we are pleased  to
    see  the  participation  of  Fiji  in  the  Malaysia
    Technical Cooperation Programme.  We look forward to
    identifying  new areas for technical cooperation  to
    better  meet  the  needs and  requirements  of  both
    countries.     The   opportunity    for    bilateral
    interactions  provided within  the  context  of  the
    programme could certainly be put to good use by both
    sides  in  the  interest  of  enhancing  South-South
    Cooperation.
    
    8.    I  am happy to see ongoing discussions  taking
    place between the two countries to enhance relations
    in  the  field  of trade, investment  and  technical
    cooperation  mentioned above as  well  as  in  other
    areas like education, tourism, agriculture, finance,
    transportation and defence within the  framework  of
    the   Malaysia-Fiji   Senior   Officials   Bilateral
    Meeting.  Malaysia remains committed to playing  its
    part in meeting this objective and looks forward  to
    the next Meeting of Senior Officials between the two
    countries in Fiji.
    
    9.      Malaysia   also   appreciates   the    close
    consultations and cooperation that exist between our
    two  countries at the international level.  In  this
    regard  we look forward to welcoming Fiji back  into
    the  Commonwealth  as early as  possible  so  as  to
    enable  it  to  resume its constructive  role  as  a
    member of the organisation.
    
    10.   In  conclusion, may I once again welcome  Your
    Excellency,  Madame  Suluweti and  members  of  your
    delegation to Malaysia.