Fiji is earmarked to be the home of Canada’s inaugural embassy for the Pacific Islands.
This was revealed by Brampton East Ontario Member of Parliament Manider Sidhu during a community event in Ontario as part of the Fiji-North America business mission facilitated by Investment Fiji.
He said establishing the new embassy in Fiji is a testament to the growing diplomatic ties between the two nations.
“In fact, the bond between Fiji and Canada has flourished over more than half a century of diplomatic relations,” Mr Sidhu said in a statement from Investment Fiji.
“Through Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, we aim to enhance trade, investment, and supply chain resilience in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, fostering shared prosperity, security, and sustainability.”
Deputy PM and Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica leading the trade mission delegation in Canada outlined the objectives of reconnecting with the diaspora community, and fostering investment and trade partnerships.
“We initiated this business mission last week in Surrey, Canada and had an investment forum there. Then we crossed over very quickly to San Francisco for a similar mission and now we are back in Ontario today (yesterday),” Mr Kamikamica said in the statement.
He said their presence served two purposes – to re-establish ties with the Fijian diaspora community, and as an investment and trade mission that aims to forge direct connections on the ground and doing business together.
He noted Google’s plans to establish a subsea cable in Fiji that lifted Fiji’s investment profile; and Fiji Water’s collaboration to unlock agricultural potential.
“We are very excited and motivated by a lot of these things. And we hope to attract some of you back home to participate in the development of some of these opportunities.”
