Fiji Airports has signed a $907,141.17 ($US400,000) landmark collaboration agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – marking a significant milestone in the rollout of the Nadi International Airport Infrastructure Development under its master plan.
The agreement will provide critical consultancy support in project management, legal, and Excellence in Designs for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) certification, an essential first step toward realising this bold, nation-building initiative.
According to Fiji Airports, it will contribute $228,109.80 ($US100,000) toward the total project value.
Fiji Airports board chairman Hasmukh Patel said this engagement paved the way for a broader collaboration between Fiji Airports, IFC and the World Bank.
“It marks the beginning of what we hope will be a long-term and strategic partnership, enabling us to deliver complex projects that are sustainable, inclusive, and transformational,” Mr Patel said in a statement.
The Nadi International Airport master plan was endorsed by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in October 2024, and represents the largest expansion in the history of Fiji Airports.
“As we work together to enhance aviation infrastructure and services in Fiji, we are ultimately investing in people, communities, and the economic prosperity of the nation,” Mr Patel said.
“It is an immense honour for Fiji Airports to host this first-of-its-kind high-level joint visit by the World Bank and IFC.
“Your presence is a powerful testament to the strength of our growing partnership and an endorsement of our vision – to be the world-class aviation hub for the Blue Pacific.”
The agreement was signed at the Fiji Airports headquarters in Nadi on Tuesday this week, followed by a strategic meeting between Fiji Airports executives and key stakeholders from the World Bank and IFC – a member of the
World Bank Group and the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets.
The meeting also discussed the initial phase of the expansion and broader collaboration opportunities.
Vikram Kumar, IFC’s Regional Industry director for Infrastructure and Natural Resources in Asia and the Pacific, said they were privileged to initiate this partnership between the IFC and Fiji Airports on the Phase-1 expansion.
“The vision outlined by Fiji Airports is well aligned with Fiji’s broader economic and social development objectives, particularly in relation to tourism, trade, and regional integration,” Mr Kumar said.
As part of its Master Plan, Fiji Airports is prioritising strategic investments in infrastructure, digital transformation, operational excellence, environmental sustainability, and stakeholder engagement.
“At the World Bank Group, we are committed to supporting a long-term, strategic approach to infrastructure development, one that delivers inclusive growth, fosters sustainability, and creates meaningful employment opportunities for the people of Fiji,” said Stephen Ndegwa, World Bank director for PNG and Pacific Islands.
“The long-term vision laid out by Fiji Airports is one we fully support.
Note: This article was first published on the print version of the Fiji Times dated May 24, 2025
