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 last week for the 28th Joint Business Forum of the Fiji-Australia Business Council (FABC) and the Australia-Fiji Business Council (AFBC).
This premier event attracted the largest number of delegates in the history of FABC and AFBC’s 28 forums. Among the attendees were government officials, development professionals, business leaders, industry experts, economists, and academics, creating a powerful networking environment.
Notable speakers included three Fijian ministers: Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Speaker Lenora Salusalu Qereqeretabua, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua, and Acting Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, who opened the forum and participated throughout the event.
FABC President Vera Chute expressed satisfaction with the delegate turnout, highlighting it as a testament to the strong ties between Australia and Fiji and the opportunity to collaboratively tackle emerging challenges. Senator Tim Ayres participated via live cross, and Australia’s Acting High Commissioner Clair McNamara echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the mutual responsibility to foster a sustainable and prosperous economic future for the Pacific.
McNamara also noted the significance of the renewed Vuvale Partnership signed in October 2023, which aligns with the forum’s theme of “New Challenges, New Solutions.” She mentioned the delivery of new grant agreements totaling FJD 157.3 million over the past ten months, supporting various partnership priorities.
Expert presentations sparked discussions on Fiji’s inclusion in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, with Fiji standing out as the only Pacific island nation participating in this agreement that comprises 40% of the world’s GDP and a third of global trade. Investment Fiji reported that existing investment projects in infrastructure could reach FJD 6 billion by 2030, while Austrade provided a comprehensive database of infrastructure projects worth FJD 1.7 billion.
The discussions also touched on the Government of Fiji’s immigration reforms aimed at attracting investors, along with significant investments in diverse sectors like the entry of Starlink and Google’s Data Hub valued at FJD 200 million.
In tourism, attendees learned that July 2024 is expected to be the largest month for visitor arrivals in Fiji, and the Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu, backed by the World Bank, is already underway in its first phase.
AFBC President Allison Haworth West summarized the forum’s impact, noting the importance of personal connections in business and how the relationships built will enhance partnerships between the two nations. She extended an invitation for everyone to join the next forum in Australia in 2025, encouraging continuity in building on this momentum.
FABC and AFBC expressed gratitude to their sponsors and partners, including Westpac, Fiji Airways, Swire Shipping, Vodafone, Joyce Aviation Group, Value City, Comfort Home Furnishing, and Aquasafe, along with media partners The Fiji Times and FBC.