Fiji is eager to enhance its economic collaboration with the United States, focusing on vital sectors such as trade agreements, investment partnerships, and advances in technology. This commitment was expressed by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during a recent meeting with U.S. Acting Under Secretary of State for International Trade, Diane Farell, at the Department of Commerce in Washington.
The dialogue recognized the significant investments made by tech leaders like Google and Starlink in Fiji’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector, a move that positions the island nation as an emerging hub for digital connectivity within the Pacific region. PM Rabuka took the opportunity to commend the increased U.S. presence in the Pacific, thanking them for their support.
Fiji has benefitted from heightened U.S. investments in recent years, including the Bilateral Framework for Technical and Economic Cooperation Agreement signed in October of the previous year. However, Rabuka expressed concerns regarding President Trump’s Executive Order, which imposes a temporary freeze on foreign aid through the State Department and USAID, hoping this would not derail initiatives aimed at advancing USAID programs crucial for the region’s future, particularly in areas like ocean and climate resilience, health, and security.
Significantly, discussions also covered the new Fiji-U.S. Air Transport Agreement, which enabled Fiji Airways to begin direct flights to Dallas in December of the past year, a development expected to foster growing trade and tourism between Fiji and the U.S.
Farell noted her appreciation for Rabuka, highlighting him as the first senior dignitary from the Pacific to engage with the Department of Commerce since the start of the Trump administration. She affirmed the United States’ dedication to exploring economic opportunities that benefit both countries.
This ongoing partnership between Fiji and the United States underscores a mutual commitment to economic growth and development, suggesting a promising future for both nations as they navigate shared interests and enhance collaboration across various sectors.
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