Trade relations between Fiji and New Zealand are on an upward trajectory, with recorded trade totaling NZ$1.38 billion (approximately F$1.89 billion) as of September 2023. This information was shared by James Trusler, president of the Fiji-New Zealand Business Council (FNZBC), during the council’s 34th annual general meeting. In the reported period, New Zealand exported NZ$841.92 million worth of goods and services to Fiji, while Fiji’s exports to New Zealand reached NZ$533.39 million.
Trusler highlighted the ambitious goal set during the joint Fiji-NZ Business Council conference in Nadi last year, targeting a bilateral trade increase to NZ$2 billion. Following up on the conference, Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka proposed developing a structured plan to achieve this target, leading to the formation of a subcommittee that will collaborate closely with the New Zealand-Fiji Business Council (NZFBC).
Impressively, as of the March quarter last year, trade volumes indicated a significant milestone for Fiji, having surpassed NZ$500 million in exports to New Zealand. David Dewar, the New Zealand Trade Commissioner to the Pacific in Fiji, previously noted that Fiji reached trade heights with New Zealand for the first time, marking a notable moment in economic relations. Notably, Fiji’s exports to New Zealand reached an unprecedented NZ$502 million (around F$689 million) up until September 2023.
Tourism continues to be a strong pillar supporting these economic ties, with Fiji welcoming over 1 million visitors in recent times, including 70,794 arrivals in January 2024 alone, 12,373 of whom hailed from New Zealand. The robust exchange highlights not only the deepening economic interrelation but also the cultural and interpersonal connections strengthening between the two nations.
At the AGM, new committee members were elected, including James Trusler as president, along with Anare Manulevu, Cama Raimuria, Jeetender Rai, Kamal Reddy, Kaushal Tappoo, Mark Hirst, immediate past president Renu Chand, and Tia Punja.
The collaborative initiatives signal a hopeful perspective for future trade partnerships, suggesting that both nations are determined to enhance their economic footprint together. With the shared goals and increasing trade, there is optimism for continuous growth in Fiji-New Zealand relations.
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