Fiji Times, Tues 6 March – MERE-KINI Salusalu says the Pasifika Festival is an opportunity to lift Fiji’s reputation at regional and international levels as a producer and supplier of quality AMA premium kava and virgin coconut oil.
Ms Salusalu, Fiji’s Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) technical services manager, made the comment to Pacific Periscope after being told she would be representing AMA at the Pasifika Festival in Auckland later this month.
“I feel so privileged and excited to be invited to showcase Fiji Agricultural Marketing Authority products for the first time at Pasifika,” she said.
AMA will be displaying its ‘Premium Kava’ and Virgin Coconut Oil packaged in glass bottles.
Kava is the traditional and ceremonial drink in Fiji and the other Pacific Islands. She said most Pacific islanders in New Zealand had lost touch with drinking real premium quality kava.
“And AMA will promote the best premium kava during the festival,” Ms Salusalu added.
Pacific Trade and Invest (PTI) trade development manager Ian Furlong had during an earlier visit of AMA officials to NZ, said the visit highlighted the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture’s serious commitment to building a sustainable and formal export industry to New Zealand.
Earlier, in 2016, PTI NZ facilitated a formal supply agreement between AMA and Supa Save Supermarkets in Auckland.
Ms Salusalu acknowledged PTI NZ’s role in facilitating AMA’s participation at Pasifika and said it was an excellent networking opportunity to collaborate the untapped potential of exporters in the Pacific islands.
“I am sure this visit will also create new business and marketing opportunities for AMA for both existing and new exportable products to New Zealand,” she said.
