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The construction of the new US Embassy complex in Tamavua is estimated to inject an economic impact exceeding $50mln to the local economy, says complex project director Tracy Thomas.
During a media tour today, Thomas said the new multi-million dollar complex is expected to be ready by early 2011.
Complex project director, Tracy Thomas said the project had begun in 2007 and should have been complete by 2009, but due to the effects of the global recession, the completion will be delayed.
“We had a few issues with the contractors, where full commitment could not be met due to the financial crisis,” she said.
US Embassy Regional Public Affairs Officer, Jeffrey Robertson said the facility is an example of America’s expanding commitment in the Pacific region.
“This embassy is not just for Fiji, but for the Pacific region as a whole.”
Robertson highlighted the need for tight security at the embassy was a direct result of bombings in 1998 at two of their embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.
“We never thought such a thing could happen until it did and that is why we decided to build embassies safe so as to be able to provide better service and protection,” he added.
Thomas stressed that the embassy is also being environmentally friendly in many aspects of the complex with assistance from the Suva City Council.
The good news for visa applicants is that they will no longer have to wait in the sun for long hours.
“At the new complex, we have a special waiting area inside the complex as well as place for those who wish to be outside,” Thomas said.
Once operational the embassy will have an information centre where information on the embassy and other issues will be available to those who need it.
