DEPUTY Prime Minister and Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica says Fiji’s efforts to attract investment should not depend on one person, as he looks ahead to the next election and works to make it easier to do business in Fiji.
Mr Kamikamica said the Government’s focus should instead be on strengthening systems and processes that would continue to support investors regardless of who holds political office.
His comments came after he was asked whether he hoped to attract more investors if he stood in the next election, following positive feedback from investors about his accessibility and understanding of their concerns.
“The restructuring is currently underway and is focused heavily on digital transformation, which would significantly improve Fiji’s investment environment,” Mr Kamikamica said.
He pointed to investor permits and company registration as areas where faster processing could make a difference.
“If, for example, investor permit takes seven days. Company registration takes, in New Zealand, it now takes 24 hours. If that can happen in Fiji, in this genuine digital transformation, that will put Fiji on a different platform and make it more attractive to invest.”
Mr Kamikamica said one of the main considerations for investors was how easy it was to establish and operate a business in a country.
He acknowledged that while Fiji was relatively easy to do business in, challenges remained.
However, he said work was already underway to address some of those obstacles, including efforts between Fiji and Australia to integrate systems that could improve the approval of permits.
“If that is successful, when successful, should mean some significant changes in how permits are approved.
“So yeah, the doors are always open for conversations and obviously trying to find more opportunities for Fiji.”
Mr Kamikamica said Fiji already had an advantage as an attractive and welcoming destination, but improving the business environment could further strengthen its appeal to investors.
