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IN AN historic moment, Carnival Australia yesterday joined forces with AusAID to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on sustainable initiatives in the Pacific. AusAID is the operating name of the Australian agency for International Development, with Director General Peter Baxter serving as the signatory to the pact. Also present was Vanuatu Prime Minister the Honourable Moana Carcasses Kalosil, representing his nation, in which local communities will benefit from priority activities and initiatives to be spearheaded through the new cooperation. Initiatives are also set to benefit communities in Papua New Guinea in addition to Vanuatu. The signing comes following a three-year collaboration between Carnival Australia and AusAID in which the cruise line contributed to the AusAID Enterprise Challenge Fund. Under the new agreement, some of the areas for joint cooperation between the parties will include the development of training packages to assist recruitment of local Ni-Vanuatu staff for roles working with Carnival’s visiting ships. In addition, new courses for market vendors and mentoring for new start-up operations will be founded, as well as an accreditation system to see makers of local arts, crafts & handiworks comply with Australian quarantine restrictions to ensure their works are able to be purchased by Australian travellers without concerns as to its legality and ability to enter the country. “Carnival Australia welcomes this initiative to work with AusAID by combining our resources, networks and experience to leverage opportunities to enhance economic growth in the Pacific region,” Carnival Australia ceo Ann Sherry said at the signing ceremony. “The South Pacific is now at the heart of the world’s fastest growing cruise market and the Memorandum of Understanding provides a pathway to transform this growth into lasting benefits from sustainable cruise tourism”. AusAID director general Peter Baxter said he was pleased at the partnership with Carnival Australia and the forthcoming programs. “The agreement identifies areas where AusAID and Carnival can partner to help translate the economic benefits of tourism to the region into better incomes and employment priorities for Pacific Islanders”. Baxter is pictured above left with Ann Sherry and Vanuatu PM Moana Carcasses Kalosil. |
