The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation has outlined 10 major policy priorities it wants political parties to consider when developing their manifestos for the 2027 General Election.
In its Private Sector White Paper, FCEF said Fiji’s future economic prosperity would require “bold, evidence-based policy decisions” that encourage private sector investment, productivity, employment and economic growth.
The Federation said the private sector would remain the primary driver of economic growth given the Government’s current fiscal constraints.
Among its 10 priorities, FCEF wants political parties to reduce the cost of doing business, improve infrastructure and utilities, reform state-owned enterprises, strengthen trade and exports, protect local industries, overhaul labour market policies, better target MSME assistance, lift productivity, improve education and health outcomes and address Fiji’s declining population.
On the cost of doing business, FCEF is calling for a national review, removal of unnecessary regulatory barriers and the full digitisation of business approval and compliance processes.
It also wants reviews of the Fiji Roads Authority and Fiji Ports, improvements in water infrastructure and measures to reduce electricity costs while accelerating an affordable transition to renewable energy.
FCEF has taken a strong position on trade, calling on Fiji not to sign PACER Plus in its current form and instead seek a review of provisions it believes could negatively affect domestic industries and increase the trade deficit.
To protect local industries, the Federation proposes higher tariffs on imported products that are manufactured locally, while reducing tariffs on raw materials required by local manufacturers for exports and import substitution.
Labour reform is another major priority.
FCEF wants accelerated implementation of Fiji’s National Strategic Human Resource Development Plan and TVET Policy and is proposing that the 40 per cent employers training levy linked to the Work Care Bill be returned to its original training purpose.
It also wants wage and labour law reforms to be based on evidence and take employment and business sustainability into account.
On productivity, FCEF is calling for a national productivity survey and faster adoption of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies across industries.
Education should also be more closely aligned with the present and future skills requirements of businesses, it said, while greater investment was needed in preventative healthcare targeting NCDs, mental health, drug use and HIV/AIDS.
Its final priority calls for Fiji to determine the population size required to maintain sufficient consumption, workforce numbers and economic sustainability and then develop policies to achieve it.
“Fiji’s future economic prosperity will depend on bold, evidence-based policy decisions that promote private sector investment, productivity, employment creation, and economic growth,” FCEF said.
“FCEF therefore encourages all political parties contesting the 2027 General Elections to consider these recommendations as part of a shared commitment to building a more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable Fiji.”
