Dr Radika Kumar appointed Permanent Secretary for Commerce

The Public Service Commission (PSC), with the agreement of the Prime Minister, has appointed Dr Radika Kumar as the new Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Business Development.

PSC chairman Luke Rokovada confirmed the appointment, saying Dr Kumar brings more than 18 years of national, regional and international leadership experience across trade, economic policy and development.

Dr Kumar holds a PhD in Economics, a Master of Economics, and undergraduate degrees in Accounting, Financial Management and Economics, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of the South Pacific.

She also holds a Master of Business Administration, a Master’s degree in Big Data and Business Intelligence from the European Business School of Barcelona, and a Certificate in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Oxford.

Her professional training includes an Advanced Trade Policy Diploma from the World Trade Organisation, alongside certifications in diplomacy, digital commerce, artificial intelligence policy, project management and emerging technologies. She is also an internationally published scholar.

A proud Fijian from Visama, Nausori, Dr Kumar began her public service career in Fiji, serving in several ministries and agencies, including the former Prices and Incomes Board, the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Trade and Communication, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

She later represented Fiji internationally as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, where she played a key role in multilateral trade negotiations and advanced Fiji’s interests at global and regional forums.

Dr Kumar was also the first Fijian and Pacific representative selected as a National Trade Adviser under the European Union-funded Hubs and Spokes Programme, managed by the Commonwealth Secretariat. Through the programme, she was posted to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, where she led the development of the country’s first National Export Strategy, implemented trade policy frameworks and supported Pacific small states in regional and international trade negotiations, including PACER Plus.

Since 2019, Dr Kumar has served at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London in several senior advisory roles, including Trade Specialist, Adviser on Infrastructure Policy, and Adviser on Artificial Intelligence and Transformative Technologies.

Her appointment comes as Fiji advances key National Development Plan priorities, including economic resilience, digital transformation and inclusive growth. As Permanent Secretary, she will oversee business and industry development, support micro, small and medium enterprise growth, strengthen export competitiveness, mobilise investment and expand digital and innovation capabilities across commerce sectors.

In accepting the appointment, Dr Kumar said she was honoured to return home to serve Fiji and was committed to building a resilient and inclusive economy.

Dr Kumar will assume office on May 4, 2026. She will take over from Mr Peni Sikivou, Permanent Secretary for Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, who has been acting in the role since January 5, 2026.

PSC chairman Luke Rokovada congratulated Dr Kumar on her appointment and said the Commission looked forward to her leadership in advancing Fiji’s economic transformation and sustainable business development.