Prime Minister Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka has assured members of the New Zealand-Fiji Business Council that return on investment is guaranteed in our country.
While delivering his keynote address during a breakfast event at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland this morning, he said that business in Fiji is back on track.
“Our target for business between Fiji and New Zealand is about $2B. This is based on estimates of potential growth.
“At the moment the worth of business between our countries is about $1.17 billion dollars of which New Zealand enjoys the lion’s share of benefits.
“We are keen to work harder to boost our own export capacity to New Zealand.”
Referring to the tourism sector, Prime Minister Rabuka said that visitor arrivals have increased steadily since the re-opening of our borders and are on track to returning to pre-pandemic levels.
“The key sectors contributing to the upward growth projection are the accommodation & food services, transport & storage, agriculture, manufacturing, wholesale & retail sales, finance & insurance, administrative services, and construction and net indirect taxes,” he said.
“When we market the Fijian brand as, ‘where happiness finds you, ‘we mean it in every possible way.
Prime Minister Rabuka also mentioned that our national carrier, Fiji Airways, has recorded strong forward bookings for the next 12 months.
“I can tell you that Fiji is your best bet for a guaranteed return of investment under the watch of the Coalition Government.”
At the same time, the Prime Minister spoke about the development of rugby in Fiji.
“One of the things we definitely keep tabs on, is the success of the Fijian Drua sports team in just their second season in Super 15. I have already made public my intentions to make Fiji the sporting hub of the Pacific.
“Call it sports tourism if you want, but the Government sees great potential in boosting infrastructure for regional and international events.”
The Fiji Government is also undertaking necessary reforms.
For this, the Prime Minister added that Cabinet has established a Sub-Committee on the Economy and Investment and the review of regulatory and administrative processes to ease business processes.
He further highlighted that Fiji is also focusing on investing in renewable energy, among other important sectors.
“I assure you that the Coalition Government is serious about making your investment in Fiji worthwhile by cutting through the bureaucracy and red tape.”
Council president Mr Chandar Sen thanked Prime Minister Rabuka for his time, saying his presence has certainly encouraged them to do more for the benefit of Fiji and New Zealand.
“The council is run by volunteers and its because of your support that we continue to be motivated to do what we do best,” he added.
The council works to promote trade and communication between businesses in New Zealand and Fiji.
It is supported by the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pacific Trade Invest (NZ).
