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ICT Sector
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ICT Sector

For Investors  >  Sector Profiles  >  ICT Sector
OVERVIEW
Fiji is well positioned to attract ICT investments, starting from the lower end and moving up the value chain.  Fiji has managed to secure its position in attracting renowned ICT investors to locate their back offices offshore.
Current ICT business types include:
  • Call Centers
  • Mail Management
  • Data/Voucher Processing
  • Telehosting/Warehousing
  • Software Development
  • Audio Visual
  • Disaster Recovery Management System
The Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) industry is considered as one of the most competitive and dynamic industries in the world. Fiji has managed to secure its position in attracting some renowned ICT investors to locate their back office operations in the country.
The objective for Fiji’s ICT industry is to harness Fiji’s ideal geographic location, competent workforce and world-class IT infrastructure to promote Fiji’s capability and competitiveness and create a dynamic, vibrant and well-connected e-society.
Fiji has Competitive Advantages in this sector with adequate labour supply, Fiji’s good English-speaking populace, Fiji’s 93% literacy rate, low cost of doing business in Fiji, easiest place to do business in the Pacific with Fiji being the hub of the Pacific, service culture of Fiji and pro-business/consumer policies & legislations being in place.
Zone (GMT+12) “where the day begins and ends” provides a “time-zone” business advantage not only to East Asia but also to the US and Europe. This makes it possible for industries and firms to process data, manage call centers, analyze results and develop customer and technical solutions “overnight” from these regions, thus significantly lowering operating costs and time sensitive operations in those markets.
 
Government has approved 2 temporary studio city zones:
  •  USP Statham ICT Park &
  •  ATH Technology Park
Government is currently developing an E-Commerce Bill to ensure that interest of suppliers & buyers engaged in transactions over the net are adequately protected.
The development of the industry is also critical under the “National Export Strategy”

KALABU ICT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ZONE
The Fiji Government has declared the Kalabu Tax Free Zone an ICT Economic Development Zone. The Zone is the result of Government’s investment and export development project that was financed by the European Union.
  •  Kalabo ICT Economic Zone – modular designs provides facility to divide buildings to 5,000 sqft sections. Zone provides optic fibre reticulation in a loop formation connected to the Nasinu TFL exchange.
  • USP ICT Park – infrastructure & amenities on the site include a fiber optic connection to the FINTEL Fiji hub via USP’s hub. The university is   currently developing a catering facility on the site to service tenants
  •  ATH Technology Park – the site is on a 40 acre of land right next door to the FINTEL’s Communication Centre with ease access to the SCCN.
Incentives
1. The income of an Income Communication Technology (ICT) operator operating in the declared Kalabu Tax Free Zone from 1 January 2007 to 31  December 2016 shall be exempt from tax for 10 years.
  •      Income tax exemption is available to ICT investors under the following criteria:-
  •      Business employs 50 employees or more for any 6 months within the income year; and
  •      60 percent of its total services is exported.
2.  The income of an ICT operator anywhere outside the Kalabu Tax Free Zone who is granted a license between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2010 shall be exempt from tax for 10 years.
  • Any ICT operator may apply and pay a license fee of $1,000 per annum to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue. The Tax exemption is granted from the date of the initial license.
  • Income tax exemption is available to ICT investors under the following criteria:-
  • Business employs 50 employees or more for any 6 months within the income year; and
  • 60 percent of its total services is exported.
3. The income of any new operator who is granted a license from 1 January 2009 to be exempt from tax for a period of 13 years
Any new operator may apply and pay a license fee of $1,000 per annum to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue. The Tax exemption is granted from the date of the initial license.
Income tax exemption is available to investors under the following criteria:-
  • Business employs 50 employees or more for any 6 months within the income year; and
  • 50 percent of its total services is exported.
  • Duty free importation of computer, computer parts & accessories, plant, equipment & fittings, and specialized furniture for initial establishment and during its ongoing operations to approved ICT/BOP Business operators from 1 January 2009.
 Additional Tax Incentives for ICT Industries
  • Tax Exemption is available to new ICT operators and existing ICT businesses for a period commencing 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2012.
  • The exemption is available to ICT businesses employing more than 50 employees and investing before 31 December.
  • Additional incentives to attract setting up of ICT industries include:
  • 80% income tax exemption for businesses employing 101 or more employees;
  • 60% income tax exemption for businesses employing from 60 to 100 employees; and
  • 40% income tax exemption for businesses employing from 10 to 59 employees.
  • Duty free importation of computer, computer parts & accessories, plant, equipment & fittings, and specilised furniture for initial establishment and during its ongoing operations to approved ICT/BOP Business operators from 1 January 2009.