Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, has celebrated the nation’s partnership with Google as a significant breakthrough for technology and a substantial advancement in the digital economy, particularly for Fiji and the broader Pacific region. During the groundbreaking ceremony for Google’s multimillion-dollar ICT facility in Natadola, Nadroga, on Saturday, Mr. Rabuka emphasized the project’s potential to transform the regional landscape, with completion anticipated by late 2026.
He stated that this infrastructure will establish Fiji as a central hub for digital connectivity within the Pacific. The facility will feature Viti Levu’s second cable landing station, enhancing internet resilience and aiding Fiji’s shift towards a digital economy. “It’s an investment in connectivity, people, and progress,” he remarked.
The sophisticated facility is designed to accommodate advanced data servers, power systems, and a new cable landing station, which will link Fiji to international fiber-optic cables reaching major global hubs such as Los Angeles. Brian Quigley, Google’s vice president of Network Infrastructure, referred to this initiative as a symbol of innovation and economic resilience for the Pacific, emphasizing its role in bridging the digital divide and advancing global access to information.
According to an Access Partnership report, the venture is projected to generate over 3,600 jobs and add approximately $574 million (USD$250 million) to Fiji’s GDP by 2030. It will also provide a significant boost to Fiji’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) sectors, as well as benefiting education, tourism, and healthcare.
Mr. Rabuka noted that Google’s investment illustrates that Fiji is open for business, ready to become a center for innovation, entrepreneurship, and global trade. Moreover, Google intends to utilize its artificial intelligence capabilities to tackle climate challenges, including the implementation of its Flood Hub tool for flood predictions up to a week in advance, aiding government and community preparedness.
Naibuka Saune, chief investment officer at the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF), described the collaboration as a catalytic investment for the nation’s ICT sector, further enhancing the hope for future technological advancements and job creation.
This partnership is a beacon of possibility, signifying a bright future for Fiji as it strides toward greater digital integration and economic growth in the coming years.
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