More than 200 delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and various regions of Fiji gathered at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva from Thursday to Saturday for the 28th Joint Business Forum of the Fiji-Australia Business Council (FABC) and the Australia-Fiji Business Council (AFBC). This forum attracted the largest number of delegates in the event’s history.
The gathering included a diverse range of participants, such as government officials, development organizations, business leaders, industry experts, economists, and academics, creating a significant assembly of influential figures. Three Fijian ministers addressed the attendees: Lenora Salusalu Qereqeretabua, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs; Pio Tikoduadua, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration; and Manoa Kamikamica, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, who officially opened the forum and remained present throughout.
FABC President Vera Chute expressed satisfaction with the turnout, stating, “We exceeded our expectations for the number of delegates who signed up for our signature event.” She emphasized the strong connections between Australia and Fiji and the unique opportunity to tackle new challenges together, echoing sentiments from the Acting Prime Minister.
Senator Tim Ayres participated via video link, while Acting High Commissioner Clare McNamara highlighted the importance of their partnership with Fiji in creating a resilient economic future for the Pacific. She noted that the renewed Vuvale Partnership, signed in October 2023, aligns with the forum’s theme of “New Challenges, New Solutions.”
During the forum, it was revealed that over the past ten months, new grant agreements valued at $F157.3 million have been signed, addressing priorities in various sectors. Experts discussed Fiji’s inclusion in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and Investment Fiji presented data on existing infrastructure investments valued at up to $F6 billion by 2030. Austrade provided delegates with a detailed database of 104 infrastructure packages worth $F1.7 billion.
The forum also covered discussions on Fiji’s Immigration Reform, efforts to attract investors, and significant developments in various sectors, including the introduction of Starlink and a $F200 million Data Hub project by Google. In tourism, it was noted that July 2024 is expected to be a record month for visitor arrivals, alongside the progress of the Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu.
AFBC President Allison Haworth West encapsulated the event’s impact, saying, “The meaningful connections we have either forged or renewed will strengthen our business partnerships between our two countries.” She extended an invitation to delegates for the next forum in Australia in 2025.
FABC and AFBC expressed their gratitude to their sponsors and partners, including Westpac, Fiji Airways, and Vodafone, among others, for their support in making the Joint Business Forum a success.