FIJI is seeking to deepen its economic relationship with Australia, with the Government calling for greater investment, technology transfer and commercial partnerships as the Fiji-Australia Business Council marks its 40th anniversary.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Enterprise, Manoa Kamikamica, made the call while opening the Fiji-Australia and Australia-Fiji Business Forum yesterday, where he said the longstanding “Vuvale” relationship should increasingly translate into investment, jobs and new business opportunities.
Mr Kamikamica said Fiji and Australia had built four decades of commercial relationships, people-to-people connections and institutional co-operation, but argued that the next phase of the relationship should go beyond traditional trade.
“We need to move from simply trading with each other to investing with each other, building with each other and growing with each other,” he said.
“Australia remains one of Fiji’s key trading and investment partners, with Australian-linked businesses already operating in sectors including tourism, financial services, telecommunications, manufacturing, renewable energy, infrastructure and professional services.
“The Government believes there is scope to expand that investment, particularly as Fiji pursues economic diversification and reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to operate.”
Mr Kamikamica said the Investment Act 2021 had modernised Fiji’s investment framework by removing the former Foreign Investment Registration Certificate requirement, streamlining company incorporation and providing national treatment for foreign investors.
He also highlighted the establishment of the Investment Facilitation Committee, which brings together key Government agencies to address regulatory issues and facilitate major investment projects.
The committee is intended to help overcome challenges involving areas such as land, environment, utilities, immigration, planning and taxation.
He said the Government was also strengthening its Task Force on Investment Approval Process, with the aim of identifying delays and accelerating project implementation while maintaining legal and regulatory requirements.
Digital transformation was another major area identified for future investment.
Mr Kamikamica said Fiji’s National Digital Strategy was intended to support a more connected and innovation-driven economy, with opportunities emerging in cloud services, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital payments, e-commerce, data services and digital public infrastructure.
He pointed to growing international interest in Fiji’s digital economy, including Google’s entry into the country, as evidence of the potential for Fiji to become a regional platform for technology and digital services.
“The Government is also looking to attract investment into agriculture and agro-processing, with the Commercial Agriculture Taskforce addressing issues such as permits, biosecurity, environmental approvals and utility connections.
“The objective is to move agriculture further towards value-added and export-oriented production while creating stronger links between local producers and regional markets.”
Skills and labour mobility also featured in the Government’s investment agenda.
Mr Kamikamica announced that the Ministry of Immigration would streamline relevant work permit applications from the following Tuesday by removing five administrative requirements, including the tripartite agreement, advertising requirement, training plan and local understudy requirement.
He said the changes were intended to help businesses access specialised expertise while maintaining a longer-term focus on developing Fiji’s domestic workforce.
“We (Government) have identified tourism, agribusiness, ICT and business process outsourcing, manufacturing, logistics, maritime services, renewable energy and professional services among the sectors with investment potential.”
Mr Kamikamica also stressed the importance of ensuring that investment benefits Fiji’s small businesses and cooperatives through finance, technology, market access, skills development and participation in supply chains.
Looking ahead, he said Brisbane 2032 could provide additional opportunities for Fijian businesses in tourism, hospitality, logistics, food supply, creative industries and sports-related services.
“Fiji is open for business.”
He urged Australian companies to explore opportunities and partner with Fijian businesses, while challenging local enterprises to become more competitive, innovative and ready to meet international standards.
As the Fiji-Australia Business Council begins its next 40 years, the Government is positioning stronger trade and investment ties as a key part of Fiji’s broader economic ambitions.
