Fiji is actively inviting New Zealand businesses to collaborate in enhancing its agricultural value chain and expanding in the burgeoning eco-tourism sector, as stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica. Speaking at the Fiji Business Mission organized by the New Zealand Fiji Business Council in Lami, Kamikamica emphasized the pressing need for improved cold chain infrastructure, including chillers, packhouses, and cold storage systems to ensure product quality during transport from farms to overseas markets.
Kamikamica pointed out that with current supply chain gaps, New Zealand companies are well-positioned to assist in closing them. He encouraged investment opportunities in food processing for crops such as cassava, pineapples, and breadfruit, which could be transformed into frozen, dried, or puréed products for export. He also endorsed contract farming and outgrower models, citing successful collaborations in ginger, cassava, and taro cultivation that ensure direct engagement between New Zealand buyers and Fijian farmers, ultimately leading to better quality and reliable supplies.
Beyond agriculture, the Deputy Prime Minister urged investors to look into eco-tourism and adventure travel opportunities, particularly in picturesque locations like Savusavu, Natewa Bay, Pacific Harbour, and Levuka. He described Fiji’s pristine natural environment and commitment to community-based conservation as significant attractions, stating the goal is to develop tourism that benefits the local population rather than merely exploiting their resources.
As interest in nature-based and sports tourism continues to grow globally, Kamikamica stressed the necessity for supporting infrastructure to enable activities like kite surfing, mountain biking, and trail running. He assured attendees that the Fijian government is dedicated to fostering a transparent and investor-friendly environment, contributing to both domestic and foreign investments.
The economic context surrounding this call for investment is optimistic; trade relations between Fiji and New Zealand are currently flourishing, having exceeded NZD 1.39 billion, with significant contributions from the agriculture and tourism sectors. Upcoming initiatives are expected to further solidify this relationship, pointing towards a promising future for economic collaboration and growth, driven by mutual interests and strategic partnerships.
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