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 last Thursday to Saturday for the 28th Fiji-Australia Business Council (FABC) and Australia-Fiji Business Council (AFBC) Joint Business Forum.
This premier business event attracted the largest number of delegates in the history of the FABC and AFBC forums. Attendees included government officials, development representatives, business leaders, industry experts, professionals, consultants, economists, and academics, creating a significant networking opportunity.
Three Fijian ministers were featured speakers at the forum: Lenora Salusalu Qereqeretabua, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Speaker of Parliament; Pio Tikoduadua, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration; and Manoa Kamikamica, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications. Kamikamica officiated the opening ceremony and remained present for the entire event.
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. As the Acting Prime Minister mentioned at our welcome reception, the participation of so many highlights the deep ties between Australia and Fiji, as well as our unique opportunity to address the challenges we face together.”
Senator Tim Ayres joined the forum via live video link, and Australia’s Acting High Commissioner Clair McNamara echoed the sentiment regarding the strong partnership between the nations, emphasizing their joint responsibility in building a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous economic future for the Pacific.
McNamara remarked that the renewed Vuvale Partnership, signed in October 2023, directly relates to the forum’s theme, “New Challenges, New Solutions.” She highlighted that over the past ten months, new grant agreements worth $F157.3 million have been signed, supporting priorities across all five pillars of the partnership.
Experts at the forum delivered compelling presentations that sparked engaging discussions, including Fiji’s role in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). Fiji is the only Pacific island nation part of this agreement, encompassing 40 percent of the world’s GDP and a third of global trade.
Investment Fiji revealed that planned infrastructure investment projects in Fiji through 2030 could reach up to $F6 billion. Additionally, Austrade provided a detailed database of 104 infrastructure packages valued at $F1.7 billion from Fiji’s six procuring agencies, offered to all participants.
The forum also covered the Fijian government’s immigration reform aimed at attracting investors for economic growth. Various sectors were discussed, including the entrance of Starlink and Google, which is building a $F200 million Data Hub in Fiji, as well as the rapid growth of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, opportunities in commercial agriculture, and a focus on renewable energy and climate solutions.
In tourism, it was noted that July 2024 is expected to be the busiest month in terms of arrivals, with the Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu, funded by the World Bank, already progressing into its first phase.
AFBC President Allison Haworth West concluded the forum by emphasizing the importance of personal connections in business. She encouraged delegates to attend the next forum in Australia in 2025, stating, “Let’s continue this upward momentum!”
The 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, Aquasafe, and media partners, The Fiji Times and FBC.