Plans are in place to enhance Fiji’s building and infrastructure, featuring a pipeline of 104 contracts valued at $1.6 billion (US$750 million). This assessment of projects involves agencies such as the Fiji Roads Authority, Fiji Airports, Water Authority of Fiji, and Energy Fiji Limited, and it was presented to business delegates during the 2024 Fiji-Australia and Australia-Fiji Business Councils Joint Forum held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.
Tim Houghton, the Australian Trade and Investment Commissioner for the broader Pacific and Timor-Leste, described the aggregation of the project budget as part of an initiative by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Austrade, and other international organizations, which has compiled procurement packages worth approximately US$2 billion across the Pacific region.
Houghton mentioned that collaboration has been ongoing since May, involving entities like DFAT, AIFFP, the Australian Department of Defence, the World Bank, ADB, MFAT, and the EU, marking the first effort to consolidate the entire Pacific infrastructure pipeline.
Regarding Fiji specifically, he noted that US$750 million has been earmarked for this focused infrastructure undertaking. He added that the significant figures underscore the need for local skills and a diverse pool of bidders, creating a pressing impetus for stakeholders to deliver on these projects.
Among the four open tenders exceeding US$20 million for Fiji are the Kinoya Wastewater Treatment Plant compliance project worth $150 million from WAF, a critical bridges resilience project valued at $82.4 million from FRA, an expansion of the departure lounge by Fiji Airports totaling $24 million, and a new generation addition at the Kinoya 20MW HFO by EFL priced at $23 million.
Additionally, there are three potential value packages under consideration, including the relocation project for the Suva Port by Fiji Ports.
Houghton encouraged participants with questions about this “infrastructure deep dive” to engage with representatives from local agencies who will be present at the forum for further discussions. The three-day forum concludes today.