FIJI’S selection by the United States’ Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for what is expected to be “hundreds of millions of US dollars” in investment over a five-year period under a Fiji-MCC compact has been confirmed by the MCC board.
“MCC’s Board selected Fiji as eligible to develop a compact,” MCC said in a statement issued on Thursday (US Time) last week.
“A close ally and partner on shared priorities, Fiji also represents an emerging economic hub for American businesses.
“The Board also approved Tonga for a threshold program, creating new opportunities to strengthen ties with another key US partner in the Pacific.
“These selections reflect the long-standing partnership between the United States and both nations, as well as their commitment to reforms that foster stronger investment climates.
“Together, they underscore the United States’ enduring commitment to the Pacific.”
Slated to be the “most tangible evidence” of US commitment to the region to date according to a reliable source, the proposed investment in Fiji is understood to be in the magnitude of “hundreds of millions of US dollars” and will be the US government’s biggest investment in the Pacific region in recent times.
“The goal of it is to have some kind of transformational project here in Fiji that not only immediately and directly helps the people of Fiji but also make it a much more attractive location for private sector investment, particularly from the United States,” the source said.
The exploratory phase, according to the source, is likely to take the next two years and will involve a two-way dialogue between MCC and Fiji on the project to be funded under the compact.
The five-year timeline of the compact will begin once the two-year exploratory phase is completed.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent US government agency focused on advancing America’s economic and strategic interests through results-driven foreign assistance. MCC’s investments support large-scale infrastructure, strategic reforms and economic modernisation that deliver measurable returns.
Countries and US taxpayers mutually benefit from expanded commercial opportunities for US businesses, reduced influence of competitors and reinforced global environments aligned with the United States, according to the MCC statement. || MCC likely to invest “hundreds of millions” in Fiji.
Note: This article was first published on the print version of the Fiji Times dated August 26, 2025