At the inaugural Fiji-PNG business conference in Nadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica delivered an upbeat assessment of Fiji’s economy, saying momentum is being restored thanks to record visitor arrivals, renewed investor confidence, and major infrastructure projects already under way.
Kamikamica cited strong early signals from Investment Fiji, which has spearheaded more than 127 active investment leads valued at about US$3 billion. He noted that 27 projects worth US$1 billion are currently under construction, with another 20 projects valued at US$1.6 billion ready to begin. He also highlighted that PNG investors have committed roughly F$600,000 to Fiji since August 2022, concentrated in agriculture and services. He stressed that these investment flows create a multiplier effect, energizing local supply chains, generating employment, building skills, and expanding government revenue that can be reinvested in health, education, and infrastructure.
The two-way investment and trade forum is designed to sustain and accelerate this momentum. Kamikamica outlined a path for closer cooperation through government-to-government dialogue, business-to-business exchanges, and business-to-government engagement, underscoring the shared benefits of deeper collaboration.
On trade, Fiji and PNG currently enjoy a growing two-way relationship, valued at about US$26 million in 2024. Fiji exports a range of manufactured goods to PNG, including biscuits, garments, and packaging materials, while Fiji relies on PNG for essential commodities and products that support industry and consumers, such as fish and kava. The forum’s aim is to broaden these complementarities into new areas of investment, joint ventures, and regional value chains that benefit both peoples.
Beyond the conference itself, industry observers note progress from related D–streams of collaboration. The revival of the Fiji-PNG Business Council, renewed high-level engagement, and ongoing investments indicate a broader trend toward stronger regional integration. Several reports on similar efforts point to a growing pipeline of cross-border activity, including plans for dual listings on regional stock exchanges and ongoing business delegations to identify concrete investment opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, ICT, and manufacturing.
In practical terms, analysts say the momentum could translate into more concrete project announcements, expanded cross-border operations by Fiji and PNG companies, and greater access to regional finance as financial-market collaboration deepens between the South Pacific Stock Exchange and PNGX Group. The prospect of dual listings on both the Fiji South Pacific Stock Exchange and the PNG Stock Exchange remains a highlighted pathway for raising capital and accelerating regional development.
The conference underscored a hopeful outlook for Fiji and PNG: strengthened dialogue, more robust trade and investment flows, and shared benefits from regional value chains. As both nations press ahead with business missions, bilateral forums, and sectoral collaborations, the path toward deeper economic integration in the Pacific appears primed to deliver jobs, skills development, and strengthened public services for communities on both sides of the Coral Sea.
Editor’s note: This event-builds on a broader series of engagements between Fiji and PNG aimed at expanding investment opportunities and regional resilience. The focus remains on practical outcomes—opportunities identified, partnerships formed, and capital brought to bear on key sectors that matter to everyday lives. Positive momentum in these ties is seen as a foundation for shared growth across the Pacific.
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