Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica, has underscored that Fiji and Papua New Guinea continue to lead the push for deeper Pacific trade through the Melanesian Free Trade Agreement (MFTA). Speaking at the Fiji-PNG Business Investment Forum, he called the MFTA a forward-looking framework “designed by Melanesians, for Melanesians,” aimed at removing barriers, widening market access, and building a fully integrated Melanesian market that benefits businesses, farmers, and workers alike.
Kamikamica emphasized that freer trade in goods and services, smoother investment flows, and expanded opportunities for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are among the clear gains for Fiji and PNG. “But the real potential lies in what we can achieve together, once all our Melanesian family is part of this agreement,” he said, highlighting that the pact’s impact would intensify if Papua New Guinea — the largest economy in Melanesia — signs and ratifies the deal, potentially transforming trade and investment dynamics across the sub-region.
If PNG joins, Kamikamica argued, Fiji–PNG trade and investment could grow even further, enabling scale‑up of supply chains, diversification of traded products, and a stronger Pacific regional leadership posture. The conversation around MFTA complements ongoing efforts to deepen ties, including the revival of the Fiji–PNG Business Council and planned business missions and forums designed to translate dialogue into tangible opportunities.
Context from recent developments in Fiji–PNG relations shows a broader momentum. In parallel with discussions on the MFTA, a sequence of high-level meetings and forums has focused on reducing trade barriers, expanding market access, and fostering a more business-friendly environment. These efforts have already yielded a flurry of activity, including business delegations, and signals of growing cross-border investment in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, ICT, and manufacturing.
What to watch next:
– Papua New Guinea’s participation and ratification of the MFTA remains pivotal; its adoption could be a major turning point for regional trade integration.
– The revival and expansion of the Fiji–PNG Business Council will continue to play a key role in shaping practical cooperation and addressing trade imbalances.
– Investment Fiji and other partners are expected to lead more trade missions and targeted business forums to identify concrete investment opportunities, with previous discussions pointing to potential deals and opportunities worth substantial value across multiple sectors.
– Financial market cooperation between regional exchanges may broaden capital access for cross-border ventures, reflecting a broader trend toward integrated Pacific economies.
Contextual note:
Recent related coverage has highlighted that forums in Nadi produced dozens of leads — for example, 11 foreign investment leads and 21 trade leads — with companies signaling intent to invest in Fiji and expand cross-border operations into PNG. Reports also point to proposals for about 20 viable investment and trade opportunities valued around FJ$100 million, and discussions about dual listings on regional stock exchanges as part of deepening economic ties.
Overall, the discussion around the Melanesian Free Trade Agreement aligns with a series of constructive, outcome-focused efforts to strengthen Fiji–PNG relations and push for broader Pacific regional integration. The tone remains hopeful that cooperative momentum will translate into tangible economic benefits for both countries and their people.
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