Fiji and Papua New Guinea are advancing a deeper trade partnership to strengthen regional integration and safeguard the Pacific’s vital fisheries, according to Acting Prime Minister and Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica. The two nations see opportunities to expand trade and investment, scale up supply chains, diversify products, and reinforce their leadership in Pacific regionalism.
Kamikamica highlighted the role both countries have played on the world stage, noting their joint advocacy at the World Trade Organization helped secure the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, known as FISH1, which aims to curb subsidies that fuel illegal and unregulated fishing. With Fiji having ratified FISH1, he said PNG’s ratification would bolster regional credibility as negotiations for FISH2 continue.
Beyond fisheries, Kamikamica pointed to emerging opportunities, including strong interest from development partners such as the United Arab Emirates seeking a comprehensive economic partnership with the Pacific. He stressed that Fiji is ready to collaborate with PNG to ensure such agreements address the unique needs of Small Island Developing States while attracting investment into key sectors.
Recent developments in the Fiji–PNG relationship underscore a practical, action-oriented approach to economic cooperation. Fiji and PNG have revived their Business Council to facilitate dialogue between business communities, with Investment Fiji planning a business delegation to PNG to explore opportunities in tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. The discussions also point toward tangible cross-border collaboration, including cross-listing opportunities on regional stock exchanges and enhanced financial-market cooperation.
Recent forums in Nadi illustrated robust interest from PNG firms to invest in Fiji and from Fijian companies to enter the PNG market. Participants highlighted concrete leads, including investment prospects and trade opportunities across critical sectors. The two sides also emphasized strengthening the environment for business and entrepreneurship as a cornerstone of mutual growth, reinforcing their commitment to regional economic resilience.
Meanwhile, a four-day trade and investment mission to PNG, led by Kamikamica and supported by Investment Fiji and the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives and MSMEs, is targeting roughly 20 investment and trade opportunities valued at more than 100 million dollars. The mission focuses on agriculture, tourism, information and communications technology, and manufacturing, with aims to showcase Fiji’s investment climate, tourism offerings, and potential for dual-listing select companies on both the Fiji South Pacific Stock Exchange and the PNG Stock Exchange. The initiative also seeks to strengthen ongoing bilateral cooperation through regular business forums and sustained information sharing.
As the two nations push for deeper ties, they are also pursuing broader regional opportunities. The envisioned expansion of capital markets cooperation between the South Pacific Stock Exchange and PNGX Group could attract more participants and capital for regional development, complementing the ongoing drive for closer trade and investment ties.
What this means for readers and business stakeholders:
– FISH1 ratification by Fiji strengthens progress toward FISH2 negotiations and regional fisheries governance.
– Fiji and PNG are actively pursuing a diversified investment agenda with opportunities in agriculture, tourism, ICT, and manufacturing.
– A four-day mission to PNG aims to identify 20 opportunities totaling over 100 million dollars, with potential dual-listings on regional stock exchanges.
– The revival of the Fiji–PNG Business Council and cross-border delegation plans signal renewed momentum for closer economic collaboration.
– Development partners, including the UAE, are showing growing interest in Pacific economic partnerships, underscoring a broader regional push for resilient, integrated markets.
– Increased dialogue and concrete project leads are expected to translate into new investments, job creation, and stronger regional resilience in key sectors like health, education, and infrastructure.
Outlook: The evolving Fiji–PNG partnership reflects a broader Pacific strategy to diversify economies, safeguard vital resources, and build a more integrated regional economy. If ongoing talks and partnerships translate into implemented projects, the region could see sustained growth, enhanced market access, and greater resilience against global economic shocks, with fisheries governance and sustainable development at the core.
Additional note for readers: Keep an eye on upcoming business forums, delegations, and potential dual-listing announcements, as these could mark concrete steps from the current momentum toward measurable gains for both Fiji and Papua New Guinea and for Pacific regional cooperation as a whole.
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