DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, MSMEs and Communications Manoa Kamikamica will lead a Fiji trade and investment delegation to the Fiji Business Forum 2025 scheduled for next week in Wellington and Auckland, New Zealand.
The forum, which follows a successful visit by a New Zealand trade delegation to Fiji earlier this year, is part of a strategic push to unlock new export markets, attract investments and strengthen bilateral trade between the two countries.
New Zealand is one of the country’s important economic partners being a major source of tourists and remittances, and a key export market for Fijian-made and grown goods – from kava, bottled water, and seafood garments.
According to Investment Fiji, about 40 representatives from different sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and services will be part of the delegation.
They will meet potential buyers, investors and trade partners in New Zealand with the aim to drive outcomes that lead to jobs, exports and opportunities here in the country.
Investment Fiji CEO Kamal Chetty said the delegation’s visit to New Zealand showed Fiji was ready to do business and was committed to reaching the $2billion goal by 2030.
As of March this year, two-way trade between Fiji and New Zealand stood at $1.39b, he said.
He added the mission would reflect on the commitment of both countries to deepen their economic relationship and create opportunities that benefitted communities and businesses on both sides.
“By bringing Fiji’s business community to Wellington and Auckland, we are opening doors to new collaborations that will continue to the prosperity of our nations,” Mr Chetty said.
“Engaging the Fijian diaspora in New Zealand remains a key priority as their involvement is vital in advancing economic development.
“By building stronger partnerships with this community, Fiji aims to leverage their skills and resources to foster mutually beneficial growth for both countries.”
The Fiji Business Forum 2025 will be held from September 8-12.
The mission is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Trade, Investment Fiji, Fiji Trade Commission Australia and New Zealand, New Zealand Fiji Business Council (NZFBC), Fiji New Zealand Business Council (FNZBC), and the Fiji High Commission in New Zealand.
The contributions and support of Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand, Grant Thornton, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the Fijian diaspora were also acknowledged.
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Note: This article was first published under the headline: Fiji trade delegation NZ-bound; aims to unlock new export markets in Page 16 of the print version of The Fiji Times dated Saturday, September 06, 2025
