More than 200 delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and across 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 year’s event marked a significant turnout, featuring the largest number of delegates in the history of both councils. Attendees included government representatives, development officials, business leaders, industry experts, professionals, consultants, economists, and academics, creating a powerful network of professionals.
Three Fijian ministers addressed the forum, including Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Lenora Salusalu Qereqeretabua, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua, and Acting Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, who officiated the forum’s opening and participated throughout the event.
FABC president Vera Chute expressed satisfaction with the turnout, noting that it exceeded their expectations. She highlighted that the high participation underscores the strong ties between Australia and Fiji, providing a platform to tackle emerging challenges jointly.
Senator Tim Ayres attended via live link, and Australia’s Acting High Commissioner Clair McNamara echoed sentiments about the robust partnership, emphasizing their shared responsibility in creating a prosperous economic future for the Pacific. McNamara also highlighted the elevated Vuvale Partnership signed in October 2023, which aligns with the forum’s theme of “New Challenges, New Solutions.”
She mentioned that over the past ten months, new grant agreements worth F$157.3 million have been signed to support various partnership priorities.
The forum featured expert presentations that fueled discussions on Fiji’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), a notable achievement as Fiji is the only Pacific island nation in this agreement, which accounts for 40 percent of global GDP and a significant portion of trade.
Investment Fiji reported that the value of current infrastructure investment projects in Fiji could reach F$6 billion by 2030. Austrade provided delegates with an infrastructure pipeline database detailing 104 packages valued at F$1.7 billion from various Fijian agencies.
Key discussions also included the Government of Fiji’s Immigration Reform aimed at attracting investors to boost economic growth, as well as significant investments in sectors like commercial agriculture, renewable energy, and climate solutions. Notably, July 2024 is projected to be the peak month for tourist arrivals in Fiji, and the Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu has commenced its first phase.
AFBC President Allison Haworth West concluded the forum by reflecting on the valuable connections formed, stating that these relationships will strengthen business partnerships between Australia and Fiji. She invited delegates to the next forum in Australia in 2025, encouraging continued collaboration and momentum.
The event recognized the contributions of various sponsors and partners, including Westpac, Fiji Airways, Swire Shipping, Vodafone, and others, as well as media partners The Fiji Times and FBC.