THE Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (IEPA) between the European Union and Pacific Island countries is a game-changer for Fiji’s economy and has helped bring tangible benefits across various sectors, from renewable energy to fisheries.
This was shared by Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica during the inaugural two-day EU-Pacific Business Forum, which opened in Nadi yesterday.
“Fiji’s partnership with the European Union has evolved with depth and purpose,” Mr Kamikamica said.
“Whether through support for our renewable energy transition, the safeguarding of our ocean biodiversity, the strengthening of our digital backbone or the transformation of our agribusiness and fisheries sectors, the EU has been present, consistent and catalytic.”
Citing the IEPA as an example of this relationship, Mr Kamikamica said last year alone, trade between the EU and the Pacific grouping of the African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) countries reached Euro 3.8billion ($F10.11b), a 50 per cent increase from a decade ago.
“Fiji continues to play a central role in this dynamic, contributing significantly to the region’s exports to Europe, particularly in processed fisheries, agri-based products and niche manufactured goods.”
Mr Kamikamica said these figures reflected not just economic value, but the growing recognition of the Pacific and Fiji as credible, standards-ready partners in global trade.
“For Fiji, the activation of the global sourcing provision under the IEPA has created new investment opportunities in our fisheries sector enabling us to export processed fish to Europe, even when sourced from approved foreign vessels.”
He said that through the EU partnership, the Government has launched the Agribusiness Incubation Centre which will serve as a launchpad for young farmers, women entrepreneurs, and rural MSMEs to build sustainable, export-ready ventures.
“This is not theory, it is impact,” Mr Kamikamica added.
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Note: This article was first published under the headline: EU partnership agreement : A testament to evolving partnership between Fiji and EU in Page 16 of the print version of The Fiji Times dated Friday, September 05, 2025
