Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has highlighted that Fiji has sought USA private sector investments in its growing economy which is at the heart of the Blue Pacific.

Mr Bainimarama, in a dialogue between Pacific leaders and USA businesses, said that Fiji welcomed USA business interests and investments in key growth sectors including tourism, BPO, food, and agriculture, health, information technology, green technology, and manufacturing.

The session, hosted by the USA Chamber of Commerce, was attended by Pacific leaders and senior USA business executives, who discussed opportunities for job creation through cutting-edge investments targeted at well-educated and skilled workers in Fiji.

The Prime Minister said that Fijian businesses also sought greater market access in the USA markets through partnerships with USA companies.

He urged the USA Congress to fast-track the reauthorisation of the Generalized System of Tariff Preferences with the addition of virgin coconut oil, sugar, fish, kava, mahogany, and other products that can create tremendous value for our smallholder producers.

At Government level, he highlighted that we are also actively seeking to open biosecurity pathways for essentials like wheat and other agricultural produce, as quickly as possible between Fiji and the USA.

Whilst delving into Fiji’s COVID-19 economic recovery efforts, Mr Bainimarama said that our tour- ism sector rebounded from the pandemic with high visitor numbers.

The total number of international visitor arrivals to Fiji in July 2022 was 78,638 and this represented 81 per cent of visitor numbers when compared to July 2019.

He added that the USA is one of Fiji’s key source markets for tourism

which had 42,002 visitors from January to August 2022 and accounted for 11 per cent of Fiji’s visitor arrivals.

Reforms Ease Doing Business

“My Government reforms have made doing business easier and cheaper. This includes the revision to the Investment Act and related regulations to modernise and lend flexibility to our investment framework,” Mr Bainimarama said.

“Furthermore, the new Act provides investors with a clear vision and the objectives of the Fijian Government and the responsibilities of all parties. For foreign investors to invest in Fiji, they now only need to register with the Registrar of Companies and complete tax registration, which can all be done online.”

Mr Bainimarama added that the liberalisation of our economy has also created opportunities for Government outsourcing and investment opportunities in state-owned enterprises.

“Fiji is the first Pacific Island Country that has been invited to be part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework that aims to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of its partner countries,” he said.

“My Government has already weighed in on the Ministerial Statement following the extensive technical discussions that have taken place.

“Fiji hopes to see more regular interaction with the USA to strength- en trade and investment ties between our people and businesses.”

At the session, Mr Bainimarama also revealed that the Fiji Trade Commission, based in Burlingame, San Francisco, is fully operational and is available to USA businesses seeking opportunities in Fiji.

Source: DEPTFO News

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