Pradeep Lal, the Regional Chief Executive of Vodafone, recently shared insights on the promising business environment for Fijian enterprises in Papua New Guinea (PNG) during the Fiji-PNG Business Mission 2025. He underscored PNG’s significant market potential, with a population of approximately 12.5 million offering numerous untapped investment opportunities.
Lal stressed the importance of understanding local market dynamics, including political, social, and economic factors, to accurately assess the costs of entering this attractive market. He cited successful examples of Fijian businesses like Jacks of Fiji, Motibhai, and The Stanley, which have effectively expanded into PNG, demonstrating that with suitable strategies, success is achievable.
He highlighted high-demand sectors for investment, including hospitality, healthcare—including medical centers, retirement, and aged care—education, agriculture (with a focus on turmeric, ginger, pineapple, and coconut water), and dairy. This diversification reflects an optimism for new business ventures and collaboration.
This initiative is part of Fiji’s larger commitment to enhance its economic relations with PNG, as evidenced by recent trade missions led by Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica. Such missions aim to unlock new commercial opportunities and foster bilateral cooperation, showcasing Fiji’s favorable investment climate.
The Fiji-PNG Business Mission 2025, coordinated by Investment Fiji and the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, aims to strengthen economic ties between the two nations and identify further business avenues.
Overall, this effort symbolizes a hopeful step towards deepening economic partnerships, showcasing the collaborative spirit of Fijian and PNG enterprises as they work together to leverage the benefits of cooperation in the Pacific region.
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