The 29th Australia–Fiji Business Forum, currently taking place at the Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel in Gold Coast, Australia, is set to conclude today. This event has successfully gathered government officials, business leaders, and investors to enhance economic ties between Australia and Fiji.
Kicking off on Wednesday, the forum featured opening remarks from prominent figures including Zane Yoshida, President of the Australia-Fiji Business Council, Justin Lee from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture, Tomasi Tunabuna. Investment Fiji reported that approximately 100 guests and stakeholders are attending, establishing a robust environment for discussing trade, investment, and sustainable development.
A standout session on the forum’s first day was focused on “Investment Opportunities and Outcomes,” led by Investment Fiji’s Chief Executive Kamal Chetty, along with the CEOs from the South Pacific Stock Exchange and the Fiji National Provident Fund. Chetty highlighted Fiji’s recent investment successes and outlined future projects, actively encouraging Australian investors to explore potential opportunities across various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and renewable energy.
This forum emphasizes the strengthening partnership between Australia and Fiji, signifying their roles as key economic players in the Pacific. Both nations are optimistic about building upon shared economic goals and identifying new collaborative avenues.
Notably, this event follows the recent 28th Joint Business Forum of the Fiji-Australia Business Council and Australia-Fiji Business Council, where over 200 delegates participated, marking it as the largest gathering in the history of both councils. Highlights from the previous forum included significant discussions on Fiji’s inclusion in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, projected infrastructural investments of F$6 billion by 2030, and the anticipated peak month for tourist arrivals in July 2024.
As the current forum wraps up with additional sessions and networking opportunities, the positivity surrounding bilateral relations between Australia and Fiji remains strong, setting a hopeful tone for continued partnerships and economic advancement.
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