FIJI is embracing a bold digital future alongside our Pacific brothers and sisters Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica highlighted this while opening the Pacific Cyber Week at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort on yesterday.
“We see meaningful connectivity and digital transformation as enablers of inclusive growth and sustainable development,” Mr Kamikamica said.
“We envision a region where innovation and technology are powerful levers for economic development and a better quality of life for all our people.”
Mr Kamikamica said he was honoured to launch Fiji’s National Digital Strategy (NDS) in April this year. “The NDS sets out our roadmap to build a digitally empowered society and an innovation-driven economy.
We are focused on achieving real outcomes, such as:
– Growing the ICT sector’s contribution to 10 per cent of GDP, up from 4.2 per cent in 2022;
– Generating over 40,000 new jobs through increased access to the digital economy;
– Attracting more than $US100 million in investments;
– Empowering MSMEs and startups through digital entrepreneurship;
“And we are already creating an enabling environment for our digital future.”
Mr Kamikamica added that Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites have brought meaningful connectivity to Fiji’s remote and maritime communities, unlocking new opportunities for our people and businesses.
“Creating resilience in our digital infrastructure with the landing of the Google Bulikula and Tabua subsea cable earlier this year — positioning Fiji as a regional hub for digital investment.
“And focusing on digitalisation of government services through the digitalFIJI programme to make them more accessible, efficient and user-friendly to our citizens.
“These major initiatives have made Fiji an even more attractive investment destination where businesses have the means to fully utilise digital technologies to achieve their goals.
“But reaching these bold ambitions depends on maintaining a secure and resilient cyberspace.”
The inaugural Pacific Cyber Week brings together cybersecurity leaders and policymakers from all the members of the Pacific Islands Forum and representatives from the governments of the Blue Pacific to discuss the future of cybersecurity and capacity building in the region.
The conference will end on Thursday.