13 Mar 2012

Fiji regime open to Kiribati land investment plans

6:54 pm on 13 March 2012

The Fiji interim government says it has acknowledged the proposal by the Kiribati government to buy land in Fiji for investment purposes.

This comes after the Kiribati president Anote Tong said his government planned to buy the 2,200-hectare Natoavatu Estate in Vanua Levu.

The property is about the size of Nauru.

The information ministry in Suva says the transaction is a matter between the government of Kiribati and a private owner in Fiji.

Recent media reports highlighted the possibility of Kiribati people moving to the estate because of climate change and sea level rise.

The Fiji government says it recognises the issue and is always prepared to assist neighbours who may be affected.