The Fijian government has reinforced its commitment to digital government and a more efficient business climate by announcing targeted allocations in the 2025–2026 National Budget. A sum of 4.3 million Fiji dollars will support the Ease of Doing Business program through the businessNOW Fiji platform, with an additional 562,500 dollars directed to the broader DigitalFIJI initiative. The move signals a continued push to modernize public services and make government interactions smoother for businesses and citizens alike.
By year’s end, officials say businessNOW Fiji is expected to offer 25 e-services across 16 government agencies. Looking forward, the administration has set a clear ambition: to move 80 percent of core government services online by 2030. The Ministry of Communications emphasizes that these efforts go beyond simply digitizing existing procedures; they aim to streamline workflows, cut delays, and enhance transparency in government transactions.
The announcements align with a wider national strategy to weave digital tools into Fiji’s economic framework. Previous reforms under the BusinessNow Fiji program have focused on consolidating agency services into a single online gateway, enabling applicants to view fees upfront and track applications in real time. This transparency is intended to deter unofficial demands and long delays, helping to build trust between the private sector and public offices.
In tandem with this budgetary push, Fiji is advancing several digitization projects designed to re-engineer public services. Notably, automation efforts underway include the ongoing Starting a Business subsystem and the Building Permits Approval subsystem, with expectations to shorten processing times and improve accountability. Earlier forecasts targeted shortening approvals from months or even years to matter-of-fact timelines, and future plans aim to bring even more services under the digital umbrella.
The broader digital strategy also contemplates the impact on investment and job creation. The National Digital Strategy envisages creating tens of thousands of ICT jobs and expanding digital inclusion, ensuring underserved communities gain access to online services. By coupling infrastructure upgrades with cybersecurity and digital literacy initiatives, Fiji seeks to foster a resilient, innovation-driven economy.
A practical takeaway for readers is that the government’s online platforms are designed to be more transparent, predictable, and user-friendly. For business leaders and investors, the promise of real-time status updates, upfront fee visibility, and streamlined approvals can translate into lower operating costs, faster project timelines, and a clearer path to compliance.
Expert take and outlook:
– The budget strengthens the link between digital infrastructure and business efficiency, which could help attract both domestic and international investment.
– Real progress depends on continued legislative backing, robust change management, and sustained agency collaboration to ensure systems are used effectively and securely.
– If implementation stays on track, Fiji could solidify its position as a leading, business-friendly digital hub in the Pacific, unlocking opportunities across construction, manufacturing, and services.
Overview:
– 4.3 million allocated to ease of doing business via businessNOW Fiji; 562,500 to DigitalFIJI.
– By year-end, 25 e-services across 16 agencies; 80% of core services online by 2030.
– Initiatives build on the broader National Digital Strategy 2025–2030, with a focus on transparency, efficiency, and inclusion.
– Earlier and ongoing subsystems (Starting a Business, Building Permits) are expected to shorten processing times and improve accountability.
– The plan envisions significant ICT job growth and broader digital inclusion to accompany economic modernization.
This outlook is hopeful: continued digitization can reduce red tape, attract investment, and empower citizens with easier access to public services. At the same time, careful implementation, ongoing stakeholder engagement, and strong governance will be essential to ensure security, reliability, and broad-based benefits.
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