High Commission of India
Suva
Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day Celebrations 2021
Press Release
The High Commission of India in Suva organized the 57th Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day celebrations on 10 November, 2021 at the Holiday Inn in Suva. The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme was instituted on 15 September 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance of the Government of India.
The ITEC Programme, fully funded by the Government of India, is a capacity building programme of assistance provided to more than 160 developing countries, including Fiji. Over the last 10 years, 850 officials from Fiji, 48 from Kiribati, 41 from Tonga and 30 from Tuvalu have benefited from ITEC programmes. Besides, the training opportunities, a large number of ITEC experts had also been deployed over the years in Fiji and other Pacific Island Countries by Government of India in various priority areas including Health, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Agricultural Research and Food Processing.
In his speech, the Chief Guest for the event, Minister of Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations and Youth and Sports of the Republic of Fiji, Hon. Parveen Kumar, highlighted how the ITEC programme has benefited Fiji through its various capacity building courses and deputation of Indian experts to Fiji, especially under Ministry of Agriculture and that ITEC could also include areas of capacity building to address the challenges arising from COVID-19 situation and climate change. He also acknowledged the strong and growing ties between India and Fiji and congratulated the Government of India on its celebration of 75 years of Independence, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
In his remarks, the High Commissioner, P. S. Karthigeyan highlighted the salient features of the Indian development partnership model which are tailored to the specific developmental needs and priority areas of the partner countries and urged Fijian authorities to make full use of the opportunities under ITEC.
Among the dignitaries present at the event included Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports, Mr. Rovereto Nayacalevu, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts, Dr. Angeela Jokhan, Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Ms. Jennifer Poole, Secretary General of Parliament, Ms. Jeanette Emberson, Auditor General, Mr. Ajay Nand, Heads of Mission from several Pacific Island Countries and ITEC Alumni from across the country.
Earlier in September 2021, the High Commission had also organized an online event to mark the ITEC Day. With the improvement in the pandemic related restrictions, the face to face event was organized yesterday to further deepen the engagement with the ITEC Alumni in Fiji and other Pacific Island countries and to create more awareness about upcoming ITEC courses.
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