MELBOURNE FORUM

I. Salutations

• The Honorable Assistant Minister of Business Development & Commerce, Hon. Sachida Nand

• His Excellency, High Commissioner for the Republic of Fiji, Ajay Bhai Amrit

• Fiji’s Trade Commissioner to Australia, Mr. Daniel Stow

• Deputy Chairman of Investment Fiji, Mr. Mark Halabe and Board Director, Mr. Josaia Sadole

• CEO of Investment Fiji, Mr. Kamal Chetty

• Distinguished Members of the Private Sector Delegation, Business Leaders, Investors, and Distinguished Guests

THE OPENING

Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.

It is a profound honor to lead this 2026 Business Mission here in Melbourne. We are here to promote Fiji’s investment opportunities, but more importantly, we are here to show you the data that proves Fiji is the most vibrant hub in the Pacific.

There is a common saying that you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. In our part of the world, we consider ourselves incredibly fortunate—because in Australia, Fiji has found both.

I’m here today not just to talk about "bilateral relations"—I’m here to talk about the business of our future. We are building on the formal elevation of our Vuvale Partnership announced in July 2025, a commitment backed by a total bilateral assistance package of $734 million FJD through 2029.

We have a massive trade relationship that serves as the engine of our partnership, and I am here to ensure that this engine runs faster and stronger than ever before. Fiji is changing.

We aren’t just the "Place where the world should be" for a holiday; we are the "Go-To" place for investment and the "Go-From" place for exports to the world.

‍

THE DATA & RECENT WINS

To understand the scale of our opportunity, we must look at the data. In 2024, Fiji’s total exports to Australia—our 2nd largest export market—reached $313.8 million FJD.

This was led by Gold at $165.4 million, but it is the diversity of our other top exports that tells the real story: $32.5 million in Garments, $15.9 million in Taro, and over $7 million in Kava. In fact, our top 10 export products represent 78% of our total trade to Australia, showing a focused and high-performing export sector.

On the other side of the ledger, Australia is our 2nd largest source of imports, valued at over $1.02 billion FJD in 2024. We imported $145.4 million in Wheat, $28.6 million in Animal Feed, and $22.1 million in Medicaments. For the savvy investor, these import figures represent a massive opportunity for import substitution—we want to partner with you to produce these goods right here in Fiji.

Let’s look at the scoreboard. In 2024 alone, Australian investors registered 35 new projects in Fiji valued at over $202.5 million. Just weeks ago, we confirmed that our two-way trade has reached a record $4.4 billion Australian dollars, with a significant trade surplus for Fiji.

This is a testament to the trust Australian consumers place in "Brand Fiji"—a brand we showcased just last month in Canberra, generating over 20 qualified export leads in a single week for premium products like Blue Turtle Gin and Fiji Fire Sauce.

Our partnership is moving from strength to strength:

Our commitment to infrastructure is not just about local development; it is about building the regional foundations that your businesses can rely on.

Through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), we are currently revitalizing our maritime sector with a $1.7 million FJD investment into a world-class shipbuilding and repair facility in Lautoka.

This strategic project, managed by the newly formed Oceania Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited, is designed to reclaim Fiji’s historical position as the maritime heart of the Pacific.

By establishing these high-end engineering capabilities, we are creating over 120 specialized jobs and ensuring that Fiji serves as the primary maintenance hub for the entire region’s shipping and logistics networks.

In our energy sector, we are powering the future of our rural economy. Australia has recently committed $8.25 million AUD — the largest investment in the history of the Fiji Rural Electrification Fund (FREF).

This will deliver 24/7 sustainable solar power to over 20 remote maritime communities and 30 schools, ensuring that even our most distant islands have the refrigeration and digital connectivity needed to participate in the modern economy.

This infrastructure drive is further supported by the $25 million AUD Australia–Fiji Governance Partnership, ensuring our civil service is as modern and efficient as the technology we are installing.

For an investor, this means we are building a more inclusive and resilient economy; by providing reliable power to rural areas, we are unlocking new opportunities in digital connectivity, cold-chain logistics, and community-based commerce, ensuring that the "Fiji of tomorrow" is fully powered and open for business.

Furthermore, with the recent opening of the $120 million FJD Maritime Essential Services Centre (MESC) in Lami—a project that provided livelihoods for over 1,200 Fijians—it is clear that our cooperation is delivering real jobs and real security. When you invest in Fiji, you are investing in a nation that has the infrastructure and the sovereign stability to protect and grow your capital.

‍

THE STRATEGIC PITCH: TARGETED OPPORTUNITIES

To the business leaders here today, our mission has identified specific gaps where your expertise meets our demand:

In Melbourne, we are looking for ICT and Digital Service partners. Fiji is your premier "near-shore" solution—a cost-effective hub to diversify your supply chains and de-risk your back-office operations. We offer a neutral accent, a similar time zone, and a workforce ready for the Creative Industries and Venture Capital.

This is a guarantee of high occupancy for new investors. Furthermore, our urban growth has created a critical need for affordable housing.

We need partners to bring innovative, rapid-build, and sustainable housing technologies to help us build the homes of the future.

‍

THE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT & INVESTMENT FIJI

I want to be clear: Fiji is not just waiting for investment; we are actively courting it through aggressive structural reform, competitive fiscal incentives, and a clear vision for our future.

Our roadmap is the National Development Plan, which prioritizes sustainable, private-sector-led growth. This plan is our promise to you that the Fiji of tomorrow will be more efficient, more digital, and more open than ever before.

Under the Investment Act 2021, we have fundamentally transformed our business landscape. We have removed the restrictive "Foreign Investment Registration Certificates" and replaced them with a streamlined system that guarantees "National Treatment" for all Australian investors.

This means you are treated with the same rights and speed as a local Fijian business—no extra hurdles, just a level playing field.

Investment Fiji has been the driving force behind this transformation. We have moved the agency away from being a "regulator" that screens you, to a proactive "Promotion and Facilitation Agency."

As our primary "Single Window" into the economy, their mission is to provide you with essential Aftercare Services, ensuring that once you land in Fiji, you have the support to grow and scale.

Whether it is navigating land access, securing work permits, or connecting with local supply chains, Investment Fiji is your dedicated partner from day one.

We are specifically targeting Australia because our economies are naturally complementary. To make this partnership even more attractive, we have designed industry-specific "carrots" for Australian capital.

In our Tourism sector, we are offering tax holidays of up to 20 years to bridge our 4,000-room accommodation gap, alongside 50% investment allowances. For those looking at Agriculture and Manufacturing, we offer up to 13 years of tax-free status and a 60% export income deduction.

We are even incentivizing the future of work in Outsourcing with tiered tax holidays—up to 13 years for large-scale BPO operations that leverage our high-speed 5.4 Tbps network.

The future growth potential in the Fijian market is vast. We are no longer just a "sun and sea" economy; we are a hub for high-value processing and specialized services.

From our world-renowned Mahogany and high-yield Mango and Pineapple exports to emerging sectors like Aquaculture and Mariculture, we are reclaiming our status as a primary production powerhouse.

Beyond agriculture, we are positioning Fiji as a regional leader in the "Recycling Economy" and a "near-shoring" destination for global giants.

Whether your interest lies in our booming BPO sector, Medical Manufacturing, AI Centers, or the untapped potential of Retirement Villages and Educational Tourism, Fiji offers a stable, sovereign environment to protect and grow your capital.

‍

A MESSAGE TO OUR DIASPORA

To the Fijian community here: You are our greatest asset. You are no longer just people who send remittances home; you are Economic Ambassadors at the forefront of Australia’s most diverse economy.

Whether you are a tech professional in Melbourne’s CBD, a retail chain owner, or a specialized consultant, we want you to bring your Australian expertise and your Fijian heart back into our economy.

We have made it easier than ever to invest through our Online Single Window Clearance System, ensuring that your capital and your talent can help build the digital Fiji of tomorrow. Your success here is our pride, but your investment in Fiji is our future.

Before I conclude, I must acknowledge the architects of this partnership: the members of the Australia Fiji Business Council (AFBC) and the Fiji Australia Business Council (FABC). Your tireless work is the heartbeat of our commercial ties. I also want to extend a warm welcome and thank you to our partners from Austrade present in the room today.  Your ongoing collaboration and technical expertise are vital in connecting Australian firms with the wealth of opportunities emerging in Fiji.

We also thank the Market Development Facility (MDF) for making our SMEs export-ready and the Australian High Commission in Suva for supporting our $25 million AUD Governance Partnership.

We are here today because all of you believed in the Fiji-Australia story long before these record-breaking numbers started coming in.

‍

THE CLOSING

The primary objective of this mission is to catalyze new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and help you establish or expand operations in Fiji. Fiji doesn’t believe in hand-outs; we believe in leg-ups.

We are here to promote Fiji’s investment opportunities and incentives to Australian investors, showcase Fijian products in the Australian market, secure new market access for Fijian businesses, and provide structured networking opportunities for companies and institutions.

A key focus will also be placed on engaging the vibrant Fijian diaspora in Australia, recognizing their role as an important economic bridge between the two nations.

The Mission is expected to deliver tangible economic outcomes by raising Fiji’s profile as an investment destination, increasing awareness of Investment Fiji’s role, strengthening diaspora engagement, and educating investors on the benefits of doing business in Fiji.

The team from Investment Fiji and the Ministry are here to provide structured networking and to ensure that when you look at Fiji, you don't just see a sunset; you see a return on investment. The "pariah" days are long gone. The door is open, and the opportunities are real.

Let’s get to work.

Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you.


ADELAIDE FORUM

I. Salutations

• The Honorable Assistant Minister of Business Development & Commerce, Hon. Sachida Nand

• His Excellency, High Commissioner for the Republic of Fiji, Ajay Bhai Amrit

• Fiji’s Trade Commissioner to Australia, Mr. Daniel Stow

• Deputy Chairman of Investment Fiji, Mr. Mark Halabe and Board Director, Mr. Josaia Sadole

• CEO of Investment Fiji, Mr. Kamal Chetty

• Distinguished Members of the Private Sector Delegation, Business Leaders, Investors, and Distinguished Guests

Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.

‍

THE OPENING

It is a profound honor to lead this 2026 Business Mission here in Adelaide. We are here to promote Fiji’s investment opportunities, but more importantly, we are here to show you the data that proves Fiji is the most vibrant hub in the Pacific.

There is a common saying that you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. In our part of the world, we consider ourselves incredibly fortunate—because in Australia, Fiji has found both.

I’m here today not just to talk about "bilateral relations"—I’m here to talk about the business of our future. We are building on the formal elevation of our Vuvale Partnership announced in July 2025, a commitment backed by a total bilateral assistance package of $734 million FJD through 2029.

We have a massive trade relationship that serves as the engine of our partnership, and I am here to ensure that this engine runs faster and stronger than ever before. Fiji is changing.

We aren’t just the "Place where the world should be" for a holiday; we are the "Go-To" place for investment and the "Go-From" place for exports to the world.

‍

THE DATA & RECENT WINS

To understand the scale of our opportunity, we must look at the data. In 2024, Fiji’s total exports to Australia—our 2nd largest export market—reached $313.8 million FJD.

This was led by Gold at $165.4 million, but it is the diversity of our other top exports that tells the real story: $32.5 million in Garments, $15.9 million in Taro, and over $7 million in Kava. In fact, our top 10 export products represent 78% of our total trade to Australia, showing a focused and high-performing export sector.

On the other side of the ledger, Australia is our 2nd largest source of imports, valued at over $1.02 billion FJD in 2024. We imported $145.4 million in Wheat, $28.6 million in Animal Feed, and $22.1 million in Medicaments. For the savvy investor, these import figures represent a massive opportunity for import substitution—we want to partner with you to produce these goods right here in Fiji.

Let’s look at the scoreboard. In 2024 alone, Australian investors registered 35 new projects in Fiji valued at over $202.5 million. Just weeks ago, we confirmed that our two-way trade has reached a record $4.4 billion Australian dollars, with a significant trade surplus for Fiji.

This is a testament to the trust Australian consumers place in "Brand Fiji"—a brand we showcased just last month in Canberra, generating over 20 qualified export leads in a single week for premium products like Blue Turtle Gin and Fiji Fire Sauce.

Our partnership is moving from strength to strength:

Our commitment to infrastructure is not just about local development; it is about building the regional foundations that your businesses can rely on.

Through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), we are currently revitalizing our maritime sector with a $1.7 million FJD investment into a world-class shipbuilding and repair facility in Lautoka.

This strategic project, managed by the newly formed Oceania Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited, is designed to reclaim Fiji’s historical position as the maritime heart of the Pacific.

By establishing these high-end engineering capabilities, we are creating over 120 specialized jobs and ensuring that Fiji serves as the primary maintenance hub for the entire region’s shipping and logistics networks.

In our energy sector, we are powering the future of our rural economy. Australia has recently committed $8.25 million AUD — the largest investment in the history of the Fiji Rural Electrification Fund (FREF).

This will deliver 24/7 sustainable solar power to over 20 remote maritime communities and 30 schools, ensuring that even our most distant islands have the refrigeration and digital connectivity needed to participate in the modern economy.

This infrastructure drive is further supported by the $25 million AUD Australia–Fiji Governance Partnership, ensuring our civil service is as modern and efficient as the technology we are installing.

For an investor, this means we are building a more inclusive and resilient economy; by providing reliable power to rural areas, we are unlocking new opportunities in digital connectivity, cold-chain logistics, and community-based commerce, ensuring that the "Fiji of tomorrow" is fully powered and open for business.

Furthermore, with the recent opening of the $120 million FJD Maritime Essential Services Centre (MESC) in Lami—a project that provided livelihoods for over 1,200 Fijians—it is clear that our cooperation is delivering real jobs and real security. When you invest in Fiji, you are investing in a nation that has the infrastructure and the sovereign stability to protect and grow your capital.

‍

THE STRATEGIC PITCH: TARGETED OPPORTUNITIES

To the business leaders here today, our mission has identified specific gaps where your expertise meets our demand.

In Adelaide, our focus is on Agribusiness Technology and Advances Manufacturing. We are moving beyond primary production into high-value processing; for decades, we exported raw ginger and kava, but the future lies in value-addition. We want to turn our resources into pharmaceutical-grade extracts and premium preserves right on our shores.

We need your 'know-how' to turn Fiji into a Regional Export Hub. Furthermore, we are inviting South Australian firms to consider outsourcing manufacturing to Fiji, taking advantage of our competitive wage and energy rates to create a more resilient supply chain.

The message on Port and Shipping Services is equally vital. We are seeking investment in Inter-Island Passenger Shipping Services to connect our maritime nation more effectively.

Furthermore, our urban growth has created a critical need for affordable housing, and we need partners to bring innovative, rapid-build, and sustainable housing technologies to help us build the homes of the future.

‍

THE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT & INVESTMENT FIJI

I want to be clear: Fiji is not just waiting for investment; we are actively courting it through aggressive structural reform, competitive fiscal incentives, and a clear vision for our future.

Our roadmap is the National Development Plan, which prioritizes sustainable, private-sector-led growth. This plan is our promise to you that the Fiji of tomorrow will be more efficient, more digital, and more open than ever before.

Under the Investment Act 2021, we have fundamentally transformed our business landscape. We have removed the restrictive "Foreign Investment Registration Certificates" and replaced them with a streamlined system that guarantees "National Treatment" for all Australian investors.

This means you are treated with the same rights and speed as a local Fijian business—no extra hurdles, just a level playing field.

Investment Fiji has been the driving force behind this transformation. We have moved the agency away from being a "regulator" that screens you, to a proactive "Promotion and Facilitation Agency."

As our primary "Single Window" into the economy, their mission is to provide you with essential Aftercare Services, ensuring that once you land in Fiji, you have the support to grow and scale.

Whether it is navigating land access, securing work permits, or connecting with local supply chains, Investment Fiji is your dedicated partner from day one.

We are specifically targeting Australia because our economies are naturally complementary. To make this partnership even more attractive, we have designed industry-specific "carrots" for Australian capital.

In our Tourism sector, we are offering tax holidays of up to 20 years to bridge our 4,000-room accommodation gap, alongside 50% investment allowances. For those looking at Agriculture and Manufacturing, we offer up to 13 years of tax-free status and a 60% export income deduction.

We are even incentivizing the future of work in Outsourcing with tiered tax holidays—up to 13 years for large-scale BPO operations that leverage our high-speed 5.4 Tbps network.

The future growth potential in the Fijian market is vast. We are no longer just a "sun and sea" economy; we are a hub for high-value processing and specialized services.

From our world-renowned Mahogany and high-yield Mango and Pineapple exports to emerging sectors like Aquaculture and Mariculture, we are reclaiming our status as a primary production powerhouse.

Beyond agriculture, we are positioning Fiji as a regional leader in the "Recycling Economy" and a "near-shoring" destination for global giants.

Whether your interest lies in our booming BPO sector, Medical Manufacturing, AI Centers, or the untapped potential of Retirement Villages and Educational Tourism, Fiji offers a stable, sovereign environment to protect and grow your capital.

‍

A MESSAGE TO OUR DIASPORA

To the Fijian community here in Cairns: You are our greatest asset. You are no longer just people who send remittances home; you are Economic Ambassadors.

Living and working in an environment that mirrors our own, you understand our needs better than anyone. Whether you are involved in tourism, maritime industries, or agriculture, we want you to bring your Australian professional standards and your Fijian heart back into our economy.

We have made it easier than ever to invest through our Online Single Window, ensuring your talent can help build the Fiji of tomorrow.

Before I conclude, I must acknowledge the architects of this partnership: the members of the Australia Fiji Business Council (AFBC) and the Fiji Australia Business Council (FABC). Your tireless work is the heartbeat of our commercial ties. I also want to extend a warm welcome and thank you to our partners from Austrade present in the room today.  Your ongoing collaboration and technical expertise are vital in connecting Australian firms with the wealth of opportunities emerging in Fiji.

We also thank the Market Development Facility (MDF) for making our SMEs export-ready and the Australian High Commission in Suva for supporting our $25 million AUD Governance Partnership.

We are here today because all of you believed in the Fiji-Australia story long before these record-breaking numbers started coming in.

‍

THE CLOSING

The primary objective of this mission is to catalyze new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and help you establish or expand operations in Fiji. Fiji doesn’t believe in hand-outs; we believe in leg-ups.

We are here to promote Fiji’s investment opportunities and incentives to Australian investors, showcase Fijian products in the Australian market, secure new market access for Fijian businesses, and provide structured networking opportunities for companies and institutions.

A key focus will also be placed on engaging the vibrant Fijian diaspora in Australia, recognizing their role as an important economic bridge between the two nations.

The Mission is expected to deliver tangible economic outcomes by raising Fiji’s profile as an investment destination, increasing awareness of Investment Fiji’s role, strengthening diaspora engagement, and educating investors on the benefits of doing business in Fiji.

The team from Investment Fiji and the Ministry are here to provide structured networking and to ensure that when you look at Fiji, you don't just see a sunset; you see a return on investment. The "pariah" days are long gone. The door is open, and the opportunities are real.

Let’s get to work.

Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you.


CAIRNS FORUM

I. Salutations

• The Honorable Assistant. Minister for Pacific Island Affairs & Tourism, Hon. Nita Green

• Assistant Minister of Business Development & Commerce, Hon. Sachida Nand

• His Excellency, High Commissioner for the Republic of Fiji, Ajay Bhai Amrit

• Fiji’s Trade Commissioner to Australia, Mr. Daniel Stow

• Deputy Chairman of Investment Fiji, Mr. Mark Halabe and Board Director, Mr. Josaia Sadole

• CEO of Investment Fiji, Mr. Kamal Chetty

• Distinguished Members of the Private Sector Delegation, Business Leaders, Investors, and Distinguished Guests

Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.

‍

THE OPENING

It is a profound honor to lead this 2026 Business Mission in Cairns. We are here to promote Fiji’s investment opportunities, but more importantly, we are here to show you the data that proves Fiji is the most vibrant hub in the Pacific.

There is a common saying that you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. In our part of the world, we consider ourselves incredibly fortunate—because in Australia, Fiji has found both.

I’m here today not just to talk about "bilateral relations"—I’m here to talk about the business of our future. We are building on the formal elevation of our Vuvale Partnership announced in July 2025, a commitment backed by a total bilateral assistance package of $734 million FJD through 2029.

We have a massive trade relationship that serves as the engine of our partnership, and I am here to ensure that this engine runs faster and stronger than ever before. Fiji is changing.

We aren’t just the "Place where the world should be" for a holiday; we are the "Go-To" place for investment and the "Go-From" place for exports to the world.

‍

THE DATA & RECENT WINS

To understand the scale of our opportunity, we must look at the data. In 2024, Fiji’s total exports to Australia—our 2nd largest export market—reached $313.8 million FJD.

This was led by Gold at $165.4 million, but it is the diversity of our other top exports that tells the real story: $32.5 million in Garments, $15.9 million in Taro, and over $7 million in Kava. In fact, our top 10 export products represent 78% of our total trade to Australia, showing a focused and high-performing export sector.

On the other side of the ledger, Australia is our 2nd largest source of imports, valued at over $1.02 billion FJD in 2024. We imported $145.4 million in Wheat, $28.6 million in Animal Feed, and $22.1 million in Medicaments. For the savvy investor, these import figures represent a massive opportunity for import substitution—we want to partner with you to produce these goods right here in Fiji.

Let’s look at the scoreboard. In 2024 alone, Australian investors registered 35 new projects in Fiji valued at over $202.5 million. Just weeks ago, we confirmed that our two-way trade has reached a record $4.4 billion AUD, with a significant trade surplus for Fiji.

This is a testament to the trust Australian consumers place in "Brand Fiji"—a brand we showcased just last month in Canberra, generating over 20 qualified export leads in a single week for premium products like Blue Turtle Gin and Fiji Fire Sauce.

Our partnership is moving from strength to strength:

Our commitment to infrastructure is not just about local development; it is about building the regional foundations that your businesses can rely on.

Through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), we are currently revitalizing our maritime sector with a $1.7 million FJD investment into a world-class shipbuilding and repair facility in Lautoka.

This strategic project, managed by the newly formed Oceania Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited, is designed to reclaim Fiji’s historical position as the maritime heart of the Pacific.

By establishing these high-end engineering capabilities, we are creating over 120 specialized jobs and ensuring that Fiji serves as the primary maintenance hub for the entire region’s shipping and logistics networks.

In our energy sector, we are powering the future of our rural economy. Australia has recently committed $8.25 million AUD — the largest investment in the history of the Fiji Rural Electrification Fund (FREF).

This will deliver 24/7 sustainable solar power to over 20 remote maritime communities and 30 schools, ensuring that even our most distant islands have the refrigeration and digital connectivity needed to participate in the modern economy.

This infrastructure drive is further supported by the $25 million AUD Australia–Fiji Governance Partnership, ensuring our civil service is as modern and efficient as the technology we are installing.

For an investor, this means we are building a more inclusive and resilient economy; by providing reliable power to rural areas, we are unlocking new opportunities in digital connectivity, cold-chain logistics, and community-based commerce, ensuring that the "Fiji of tomorrow" is fully powered and open for business.

Furthermore, with the recent opening of the $120 million FJD Maritime Essential Services Centre (MESC) in Lami—a project that provided livelihoods for over 1,200 Fijians—it is clear that our cooperation is delivering real jobs and real security. When you invest in Fiji, you are investing in a nation that has the infrastructure and the sovereign stability to protect and grow your capital.

‍

THE STRATEGIC PITCH: TARGETED OPPORTUNITIES

To the business leaders here today, our mission has identified specific gaps where your expertise meets our growing demand. Given our shared tropical environment and geographic proximity, there is a natural and powerful synergy between Cairns and Fiji’s economic growth.

In Cairns, our focus is squarely on Agribusiness Technology and Port Services. We are moving beyond primary production into high-value processing. For decades, we exported raw ginger and kava; however, the future lies in value-addition—turning our resources into pharmaceutical-grade extracts and premium preserves right on our shores.

We need your 'know-how' to turn Fiji into a Regional Export Hub. We are specifically seeking partners in Cold-Chain Logistics and Biosecurity to help us drive import substitution and meet our increasing domestic demand.

Our maritime ambitions are equally strategic. We are introducing new Port Marinas and supporting maritime services to ensure Fiji remains the primary shipping and logistics heart of the Pacific. We invite logistics operators and port authorities here in Cairns to partner with us in building these regional foundations.

Furthermore, our urban growth has created a critical need for affordable housing. We need partners to bring innovative, rapid-build, and sustainable housing technologies to help us build the homes of the future.

‍

THE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT & INVESTMENT FIJI

I want to be clear: Fiji is not just waiting for investment; we are actively courting it through aggressive structural reform, competitive fiscal incentives, and a clear vision for our future.

Our roadmap is the National Development Plan, which prioritizes sustainable, private-sector-led growth. This plan is our promise to you that the Fiji of tomorrow will be more efficient, more digital, and more open than ever before.

Under the Investment Act 2021, we have fundamentally transformed our business landscape. We have removed the restrictive "Foreign Investment Registration Certificates" and replaced them with a streamlined system that guarantees "National Treatment" for all Australian investors.

This means you are treated with the same rights and speed as a local Fijian business—no extra hurdles, just a level playing field.

Investment Fiji has been the driving force behind this transformation. We have moved the agency away from being a "regulator" that screens you, to a proactive "Promotion and Facilitation Agency."

As our primary "Single Window" into the economy, their mission is to provide you with essential Aftercare Services, ensuring that once you land in Fiji, you have the support to grow and scale.

Whether it is navigating land access, securing work permits, or connecting with local supply chains, Investment Fiji is your dedicated partner from day one.

We are specifically targeting Australia because our economies are naturally complementary. To make this partnership even more attractive, we have designed industry-specific "carrots" for Australian capital.

In our Tourism sector, we are offering tax holidays of up to 20 years to bridge our 4,000-room accommodation gap, alongside 50% investment allowances. For those looking at Agriculture and Manufacturing, we offer up to 13 years of tax-free status and a 60% export income deduction.

We are even incentivizing the future of work in Outsourcing with tiered tax holidays—up to 13 years for large-scale BPO operations that leverage our high-speed 5.4 Tbps network.

The future growth potential in the Fijian market is vast. We are no longer just a "sun and sea" economy; we are a hub for high-value processing and specialized services.

From our world-renowned Mahogany and high-yield Mango and Pineapple exports to emerging sectors like Aquaculture and Mariculture, we are reclaiming our status as a primary production powerhouse.

Beyond agriculture, we are positioning Fiji as a regional leader in the "Recycling Economy" and a "near-shoring" destination for global giants.

Whether your interest lies in our booming BPO sector, Medical Manufacturing, AI Centers, or the untapped potential of Retirement Villages and Educational Tourism, Fiji offers a stable, sovereign environment to protect and grow your capital.

‍

A MESSAGE TO OUR DIASPORA

To the Fijians living here in Australia: You are our greatest asset. You are no longer just people who send money home; you are Economic Ambassadors. We have made it easier than ever to invest through our Online Single Window Clearance System.

Whether you are a diaspora-led investor in Adelaide or a retail chain owner in Melbourne, we want you to bring your Australian expertise and your Fijian heart back into our economy.

Before I conclude, I must acknowledge the architects of this partnership: the members of the Australia Fiji Business Council (AFBC) and the Fiji Australia Business Council (FABC). Your tireless work is the heartbeat of our commercial ties. I also want to extend a warm welcome and thank you to our partners from Austrade present in the room today.  Your ongoing collaboration and technical expertise are vital in connecting Australian firms with the wealth of opportunities emerging in Fiji.

We also thank the Market Development Facility (MDF) for making our SMEs export-ready and the Australian High Commission in Suva for supporting our $25 million AUD Governance Partnership.

We are here today because all of you believed in the Fiji-Australia story long before these record-breaking numbers started coming in.

‍

THE CLOSING

The primary objective of this mission is to catalyze new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and help you establish or expand operations in Fiji. Fiji doesn’t believe in hand-outs; we believe in leg-ups.

We are here to promote Fiji’s investment opportunities and incentives to Australian investors, showcase Fijian products in the Australian market, secure new market access for Fijian businesses, and provide structured networking opportunities for companies and institutions.

A key focus will also be placed on engaging the vibrant Fijian diaspora in Australia, recognizing their role as an important economic bridge between the two nations.

The Mission is expected to deliver tangible economic outcomes by raising Fiji’s profile as an investment destination, increasing awareness of Investment Fiji’s role, strengthening diaspora engagement, and educating investors on the benefits of doing business in Fiji.

The team from Investment Fiji and the Ministry are here to provide structured networking and to ensure that when you look at Fiji, you don't just see a sunset; you see a return on investment. The "pariah" days are long gone. The door is open, and the opportunities are real.

Let’s get to work.

Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you.

‍

‍