Over 820,000 visitors ‘experience’ Fiji in Shanghai

Visitors to the Expo Site and the Fiji Pod

		Number of Visitors to:
Month	Week	Expo Site	Fiji Pod
May	1	637,100	63,099
	2	1,333,100	118,839
	3	1,990,600	186,379
	4	3,645,000	456,397
Total		7,605,800	824,714

The end of May marked one month since the opening of the Shanghai World Expo 2010, with over seven and a half million people visiting the Expo site, eager to partake in the opportunities and experiences the many different participating countries have to offer. Standing proudly amongst these countries and already playing host to more than 820,000 visitors to its booth, is our beautiful Fiji!

Journey through the Pod

Sharing the Pacific Pavilion with 14 other Pacific Island countries, the 324 square meters Fiji Pod has certainly aroused the curiosity of the many visitors to the Pavilion. Strategically placed on display, just outside the Fiji Pod to attract visitors into the booth is a drua – the double hulled canoe which is a pride and joy of Fiji, still revered today for its long and sacred history. At the entry to the Pod, visitors are welcomed by two magnificently carved balabala, placed on either side of the entrance, and the smiling, welcoming faces of our Pavilion Attendants.

Upon entering, visitors go on a journey which promotes Fiji’s heritage, culture, people, places and products. The panels backing the Pod represent the 14 provinces of Fiji with an assortment of artifacts complementing the designs which range from magimagi weaves of diverse patterns, to traditional artifacts unique to a particular province, and images and symbols that are both traditional and contemporary.

Our niche products

In front of each panel, is a display of Fiji-made commodities which give tribute to our nation’s ability to produce original, unique and niche commodities by utilizing our natural and other resources. Products on display also consist of exportable products that have yet to penetrate the market. These items include ‘Lako Tu footwear’ from the Soqoiwasa Marketing. Another product is Noni, which is on display through noni juice, body products and capsules. Companies that have brought in samples for exhibit include Blong Noni, Bula Noni, Herbex Fiji Ltd, Kahuna Noni, Noni Miracle and Royal Noni. The Fiji Pod is also showcasing its vast mineral water resources. Aqua Pacific, Dayal Group of Companies, Mineral Waters of Fiji and Pleass Beverages have provided samples of their notable natural artesian water. Kava samples provided by Gurdayal Sons & Brothers, Lami Kava, and Veivanua Kava are another product set drawing attention to the Pod. Visitors are also acquainted with commodities from the Agricultural Marketing Authority, Bio Pasifika Ltd, Fiji Fashion Week, Fiji Niu, Fiji Sugar Corporation, Flour Mills of Fiji, Frezco Beverages, Foods Pacific, Foods Processors, Foster’s Group Pacific Ltd, Golden Ocean Ltd, Mokosoi, Naturally Fiji, Niu Living, Organic Earth Fiji, Origins Pacific Ltd, Portion Pak, Radini Farm Produce & Services, Sino Pacific Trading & Development, Spices of Fiji, University of the South Pacific, Viti Foods Ltd and Walt Smith International Ltd. Also on display are beauty products from the renowned Pure Fiji.

Products from these industries exemplify to the visitors Fiji’s manufacturing capabilities and how Fiji has progressed over the years in bringing its products to a global standard.

Our three Pavilion Attendants have been doing a marvelous job for the past month in promoting the various and diverse aspects and products of Fiji. Mandarin-speakers Yolinda Chan and Catherine Zhang have been instrumental in effectively communicating with the large number of visitors to the Pod, the majority of whom have been local Chinese. Fiji’s third Pavilion Attendant Sikeli Nailesu, has also proven to be a big draw card to the Pod, with his big friendly smile which attracts a lot of photo sessions. Our fourth Pavilion Attendant, Alex Sela, will shortly leave Fiji to join them in our promotional campaign. Visitors to the Pod have been very interested in learning about Fiji, and some were extremely surprised to learn that they could visit our shores as tourists without acquiring visas. This has been a selling point for Fiji as well.

Trade and Investment Opportunities

While interest generated in the Fiji Pod has been geared mostly towards tourism, there have been visitors to the Pod who are interested in finding out more about Fiji’s business climate and investment opportunities. During the month, our Pavilion Attendants have also had discussions with potential Chinese investors who identified certain areas in which they were interested in doing business.

According to Fiji’s Commissioner General for the Shanghai Expo, Annie Rogers, who represented Fiji at the May 1st Opening Ceremony and had the opportunity to interact with visitors at the Fiji Pod, “Fiji is very keen to increase the current level of trade and investment with China and this is exactly why we are going all out by participating in the Shanghai World Expo. Not only does Fiji intend to market its tourism industry to visitors at the Fiji Pod (majority of whom will be the local Chinese people) but also to showcase our niche products which we hope will generate enough interest to eventuate into tangible investment and trading partnerships”.

The Fiji National Coordinating Committee (NCC) for the Shanghai World Expo is currently in the preparatory stages of a Trade and Investment Seminar to take place during the Fiji Week (August 2nd-7th). The seminar, tentatively set for the August 4th, will be an excellent avenue to lift Fiji’s profile and present all aspects of Fiji to new, potential investors. This Seminar will also be a great platform to follow up with those investors Ms Rogers met in her capacity as Fiji Trade and Investment Bureau’s Chief Executive Officer during the May Opening. Ms Rogers is optimistic that “with the presence of our Honorable Prime Minister Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Anti-Corruption, Public Enterprises, Industry, Tourism, Trade and Communications, Mr. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, this seminar will fully promote our trade and investment opportunities, alongside our mission to promote Fiji’s heritage, culture, people and products. While we will, no-doubt, meet people interested in our products and the investment opportunities in Fiji, and the discussions will take place also in the Fiji Pod, as the flow of the visitors through our Pod is so numerous, discussions will be more in-depth in venues outside the actual Pod, as was done in my last visit to Shanghai”.

Fiji’s National Day

While the Expo is a six-month long event, the Fiji Week is scheduled to be from August 2nd -7th, with August 6th being Fiji Day when the spotlight will shine solely on Fiji. Proceedings on National Day will commence with an official opening ceremony coordinated by the Shanghai Expo Organising Committee followed by the traditional Fijian welcome ceremony the Veiqaraqaravi Vakaturaga. There will also be meke performances by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Kabu ni Vanua which include the Meke Wesi, Meke I-Wau, and the Vakamalolo, during the day. Their performances are expected to add a lot of pomp and splendor to the celebrations and will showcase our unique traditional dances.

* This article was published in Ministry of Information's fortnightly publication Fiji Focus (formerly known as New Dawn ) on 12th June 2010.