FIJI needs to think outside the box to grow its economy.
ANZ Group senior Pacific economist Kishti Sen made the remark while presenting on the topic ‘Charting Fiji’s place in a shifting world: From the Pacific to the globe’ at the 2026 FICA annual congress in Nadi.
“I think the time has arrived for Fiji to think outside the box, be bold, be ambitious, and aim for that 6 per cent gross domestic product (GDP)growth within three years,” Mr Sen said.
“And I think maximising the opportunities within developing partnerships in the Pacific region, in particular, with Papua New Guinea and strengthening relationships with the rest of the world is going to deliver that.”
Mr Sen shared three steps on how Fiji could maximise its economic opportunities and climb up the economic ladder: look within the economy and make the most of what we have; forge strong regional partnerships – piggyback on stronger economic outcomes of Pacific neighbours’ success; and strengthen bilateral relationships with the developed world to build capacity to do more with what we have.
He said Fiji’s economy also remained heavily dependent on tourism, remittances and overseas-generated income.
“Tourism in the economy, surprisingly, is holding up quite well and I’m surprised of that.
“So, I was not really lacking in that tourism is going to do better this year and if you look at the numbers, the sector has done really well for the first three months, the March arrivals is the highest ever.
“If you take all the annual total arrivals to March 2026, the number of tourists coming into the country, including visiting friends and families, it’s 999,225 just – under million. And there is a bit of an uptick for total tourist arrivals. So, tourism economy is holding up which is good news.”
