Fiji has potential to be a domestic product leader in the world, and in some niche markets, says New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji, Charlotte Darlow.

She said there was a need for New Zealand to reconnect with businesses and new companies in Fiji to share ideas in the business space.

Since her arrival last year, Ms Darlow said, it was surprising to note the scale of the trading relationship between the two countries.

Ms Darlow said they had since appointed a Resident Trade Commissioner, David Dewar, stationed in Fiji to serve the wider Pacific areas focusing mainly on Fiji.

“There are huge opportunities between Fiji and New Zealand and their partnership space.”

“One of the things I am excited about is, making sure that there are deliberate connections between communities here and New Zealand, because there’s so much potential and resilience.

“We are in a reconnecting time.”

“One of the things I am looking forward to is people just being able to cross the border and connect.”

She praised Fiji’s new product areas such as gluten-free flour, and cassava flour.

She also acknowledged the resilience of the Fijian people during COVID- 19.

“Fiji has a number of businesses and because there was a strong localisation component here, including all the way to the city management chain, it has been much more resilient than a number of other partners in the region.”

NZ Visa
Fijians could now apply for New Zealand visa, as the first stage of normalisation takes place in the land of the long white cloud, Ms Darlow said.

“I am excited about New Zealanders coming in for holidays, visiting friends and families, and to do business and vice versa.”

SME Sector
Ms Darlow said one of the areas she would focus on was the small and medium-sized business investment scheme.

“There are many things that we need to do in that space,” she said.

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