16 May 2007

Fji interim administration proposes new body to steer country forward

9:45 am on 16 May 2007

Fiji's interim administration has proposed setting up a new body, the National Council for Building a Better Fiji, to help steer the country forward.

Fiji TV reports that the new body, to be appointed by President Iloilo, will be similar to a proposal by academics for a Presidential Advisory Council.

The new body is part of the interim administration's proposal given to the European Union in their first consultations last month.

The Council is expected to include members from civil society, NGOs, the private sector, employers, political parties and religious organisations.

In the absence of parliament the Council will offer policy directives to the interim administration.

Its work will cover three key areas: - detailed advice on the state of the national economy, speeding up the reform agenda and organizing a National Summit to draw up a People's Charter for Change and Progress.