Investment Fiji, the government’s trade and investment promotion agency, is currently managing a pipeline of 184 projects totaling $6.2 billion, a significant increase from $4.25 billion last year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, SME, and Communications Manoa Kamikamica shared this information in parliament during the debate on the 2024-2025 National Budget address on Monday.
“International trade is the lifeblood of Fiji’s economy,” stated Mr. Kamikamica. He highlighted that the ministry has been successfully negotiating improved trade terms for Fiji as it stands as the only Pacific Island member of the 14-nation Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
He noted that despite limited resources, Fiji has effectively secured trade deals that will greatly benefit the nation.
“During the World Trade Organization’s 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, I emphasized the importance of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, which is crucial for sustaining Fiji’s fish stocks and promoting a responsible fisheries sector,” said the Deputy PM.
Kamikamica pointed out that a significant part of attracting such substantial investments lies in initiatives like the ‘BusinessNOW Fiji’ portal. This digital platform will serve as a virtual one-stop shop for investors, simplifying the process of doing business in Fiji.
“Investors will now have a single platform connecting 16 government agencies and providing 25 e-services by August 2025,” he continued. “This will range from starting a business to obtaining construction permits, opening endless opportunities.”
The government plans to launch this ‘revolutionary’ platform in the coming weeks.