Three ministers fly out for Dubai, Singapore

TAXPAYERS have funded air fares for a group of interim cabinet ministers who left yesterday for the 8th Global Travel and Tourism Summit in Dubai.

And although the cost has not been disclosed, Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office Parmesh Chand said the funding for the trip was taken from the official trips budget' of ministries.

On the trip to Dubai are interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, interim Minister for Justice and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Public Enterprises interim Minister Tom Ricketts.

Mr Chand said the trip was budgeted for. "The trips of the ministers are funded by their own ministries and have been duly budgeted for from within Government's budget," Mr Chand said.

The group returns on May 2 after spending two weeks in Dubai and Singapore. The group will be joined in Singapore by Public Service Commission chairman Rishi Ram.

A statement from the interim PM's office said the Dubai summit would focus on the industry's attention to three global issues preserving the world's natural and cultural assets, travel and tourism's role in generating employment and wealth and harnessing growth.

"The Dubai summit will represent the world's most exemplary public-private partnership in the travel and tourism industry.

"The summit will engage invited participants in real dialogue on issues that affect the industry and the world." Commodore Bainimarama is expected to have meetings with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Dubai Portsworld, Emirates Airlines and selected financial and investment institutions.

"On his return the Prime Minister will stopover in Singapore, focusing mainly on learning about the experiences of Singapore in civil service and public sector reforms. As the minister responsible for public service, he will have meetings and discussions to gain as much insight as possible on the reforms Singapore has implemented to bring about improvements and efficiencies in service delivery," said the statement.

Foreign Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will act as Prime Minister.