The distance between the two countries was a major reason for lack of trade, however, we are now working with major logistic companies in Dubai that will allow easier access to our products  in the gulf.

Two delegations of investors from the United Arab Emirates are expected to be in the country in the next few weeks, potentially to look at investing in the education, tourism and agriculture sectors.

This was confirmed to the Fiji Sun by Fiji’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Kamlesh Prakash in a statement issued by Investment Fiji yesterday.

Investment Fiji CEO, Godo Mueller-Teut met Mr Prakash in Suva this week.

The meeting was held to discuss investment opportunities in the tourism, hospitality and agriculture sectors in Fiji for Middle East investors.

“Tourism is the largest foreign exchange earner for Fiji, and with a record number of visitors arriving into the country last year, it has great potential for the investors,” Mr Mueller-Teut said.

“With growing demand of tourists and changing dynamics of tourism, Fiji is positioning itself well with investments in this sector.”

Mr Mueller-Teut believes that Fiji offers a number of investment opportunities for the UAE investors to tap into.

He said the UAE was at the forefront of cutting edge technology in various fields including agriculture.

Attracting foreign direct investment from the gulf will not only result in the increase in economic activities, but also transfer of technology, knowledge and skills set to the local workforce, added Mr Mueller-Teut.

Local businesses also have the opportunities to work with major retail outlets in the Middle East and forge partnerships, Mr Prakash said.

“The distance between the two countries was a major reason for lack of trade, however, we are now working with major logistic companies in Dubai that will allow easier access to our products in the gulf markets,” Mr Prakash said.

“Food security and lack of clean drinking water is an issue for the UAE, and as such, we have seen an increase in the demand for Fiji Water in UAE and surrounding gulf countries,” he said.

According to the statement, in 2016, Fiji’s export to the UAE was more than a million dollars, which included commodities such as prepared foodstuff, precious metals and cultured pearls, live animals, vehicles and aircraft, chemical products and miscellaneous manufactured articles.

edited by: ivamere nataro

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