TWENTY YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2017-2036 environment. 7 AIR CONNECTIVITY International and domestic airports will be modernised and upgraded to international standards. This has already commenced with the modernisation of the Nadi International Airport, which involves the upgrading of the terminal, widening of the runway, pavement rehabilitation and construction of new aprons and parking areas. ROAD TRANSPORTATION Investment in road infrastructure is essential for future growth. Modernising our road infrastructure will continue to support strong economic expansion, rising income levels, the increase in urban population and the growth in agriculture and industries. New roads will be developed and existing ones improved. More road expansions, including four-lane projects, will be undertaken. Current four-lane projects such as Nausori airport to Suva and Nadi airport to Denarau will be completed by 2018. Government will embark on major projects to seal a large portion of the existing gravel roads over the next 20 years. Where practical, consideration will be given to diverting roads inland to open up land for social and economic development. Installation of streetlights in all major urban centres and peri-urban areas and in front of villages and settlements along the Queens and Kings Roads will continue. This will also be expanded to Vanua Levu. Apart from improving aesthetics and road safety, this will encourage development of MSMEs such as roadside stalls and help with employment and income generation. New footpaths will be constructed across populated areas, major cities and towns to make roads safer for pedestrians and drivers. Traffic lights will be installed at critical junctions where there are high traffic flows. This will assist in managing traffic congestion and improve safety. To accommodate the rising number of vehicles, investments in larger car parks and the expansion of bus bays on high-traffic roads will be facilitated. Private sector partnerships will be essential in pursuing some of these initiatives. Investment in upgrading our bridges and constructing new ones will continue. This will include development of access roads to connect farming areas to markets. Road transportation will be made more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Better emission and fuel standards will be adopted. Government will support importation and use of fuel-efficient hybrid and electric vehicles to reduce fuel importation and protect the To meet the demand for increasing visitor arrivals, a second terminal will be developed, and to improve service for passengers flying to other destinations in Fiji, the domestic terminal at the Nadi International Airport will be upgraded. A new international airport will be developed in Vanua Levu, and the Nausori International Airport will be revamped and expanded. Fiji Airways will continue to renew and expand its fleet with leasing of new aircrafts. New air connections will be explored and new routes developed. This will be aligned to our plans for the expansion of new tourist source markets, including attracting visitors from emerging regions such as Southeast Asia and North and South America. Domestic air services will be enhanced to support the growth in the tourism industry and more-efficient mobility of all passengers within the country. Major upgrading works will be undertaken at domestic airports and airstrips over the next 20 years. PORT SERVICES AND INTER-ISLAND NETWORK Government will work in partnership with strategic partners to make our ports more efficient and modern. Port infrastructure will continue to be modernised, and services will be improved further to facilitate trade and commerce. Modern technology, efficient cargohandling machinery and international best practices will be adopted to enhance Fiji’s position as the hub of the Pacific. A Ports Master Plan is being prepared to guide the longterm development of our ports. Options are being explored for the establishment of a new port in Valaga Bay in Vanua Levu. Feasibility studies will be undertaken to identify other new sites for future port development including Natovi jetty. Investments in modern slipways, the revival of the shipbuilding and maintenance industry will be pursued. Government is exploring the possibility of upgrading and expanding the current Suva wharf facility to cater for future cargo and passenger demand. Upgrade works at a number of outer island ports will also be undertaken. The inter-island sea-transport network is critical for Fijians living in the maritime islands. Shipping services will be improved to ensure reliability, safety, efficiency and affordability of ferry services. Government will continue