11 Apr 2012

Kiribati parliament to consider Fiji land purchase

6:26 pm on 11 April 2012

The Kiribati government says at the next sitting of parliament it will propose buying a block of land in Fiji for business and investment opportunities.

Radio Kiribati reports the President Anote Tong as saying his government needs the approval of parliament to go ahead with the land transaction.

Last month, it was revealed that the Kiribati government wanted to buy the 2,200-hectare Natoavatu Estate in Vanua Levu.

Mr Tong says the area is fertile and could support many profit-generating projects.

The President also says at this stage there are no plans to use the land to resettle people affected by climate change.