1. What is your vision for positioning Fiji as a competitive and attractive investment destination in the Pacific?
First of all, thank you very much for the interview and meeting with us.
Let me start with the role of Investment Fiji, to give you a bit of context on what we do. We are not just a promotion agency, but we are also a facilitating agency.
In the context of Fiji, we look at the different areas of investment in the country. The first area is getting new investment into the country. The second is facilitating local projects. In fact, 60% of our clients are local investors.
We work to facilitate and accelerate investment in Fiji, supporting both local and foreign investors to turn opportunities into viable projects. A key part of our approach is partnership. We encourage foreign investors to partner with local businesses, and equally support local investors in forming international partnerships. These collaborations bring together capital, expertise, technology, and local knowledge, helping businesses grow while contributing to Fiji’s broader economic development.
We also play an important role in export promotion. We support more than 700 exporters, helping them identify and access markets globally and expand the reach of Fijian products and services. At the same time, we undertake policy advocacy, working closely with Government to identify barriers to investment and trade and to create a more competitive, efficient, and investor-friendly business environment.
Our broader vision is to position Fiji as the regional hub of the Pacific. We see Fiji as a gateway for companies seeking to manufacture and distribute products across the region, as well as a hub for tourism, connectivity, technology, trade, and investment.
In particular, we want to attract companies that can provide ICT, digital, and telecommunications services not only to Fiji but to the wider Pacific. Fiji already has a strong foundation in these areas, and our ambition is to build on that advantage and expand our regional role.
We want to attract companies that are able to provide ICT services and telecommunications services. We are already doing that, but our idea is to grow as a regional hub, facilitating investment and trade between Fiji and other countries, as well as between Fiji and other countries in the Pacific.
2. Fiji has traditionally relied heavily on tourism. Which sectors do you see offering the greatest potential for diversification in foreign investment, particularly in agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, renewable energy, digital services and infrastructure?
There are several sectors we are focusing on as part of our economic diversification strategy. This is not only about identifying new opportunities; we have already attracted a number of investors who are actively investing in these sectors.
One of the key areas of diversification is agriculture. Fiji has natural advantages, including fertile soil and a favourable environment, which position us well to produce high-quality agricultural products.
We are actively attracting investors into the sector, supported by a range of government incentives, including a 20-year tax holiday for investors in agriculture. Our focus includes tropical fruits, coffee, cocoa, and other high-value agricultural products. We are also working closely with international companies and local farmers to attract investment that benefits the wider economy. Our aim is to unlock the significant opportunities available in Fiji's agriculture sector.
Another important area is ICT, including business process outsourcing (BPO), knowledge process outsourcing, and other forms of outsourcing. With Google's investment in Fiji, our network and internet capabilities have strengthened. Combined with Fiji's advantages in language, time zone, and cost, this puts us in a strong position to attract quality ICT and BPO companies. We expect this sector to continue growing in the future.
Renewable energy is another key area of diversification. Fiji aims to transition to 90% renewable energy by 2035, and we see this transition as a potential driver of economic activity and diversification, while also supporting Fiji's ambition to become a regional hub.
We are not only looking at current renewable energy opportunities but also at emerging technologies, such as hydrogen and other future energy solutions. Our goal is to attract investors that can help position Fiji as a renewable energy supplier and service hub for the wider Pacific region, not only for the domestic market.
Manufacturing also remains an important sector. Our focus includes supporting supply-chain production for companies from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and other markets. Fiji can provide a base where companies manufacture products for the Pacific region while also supplying products back to their home markets.
We are also focusing on value addition to Fiji's existing products. For example, we are attracting companies that can process tropical fruits, such as mangoes, into higher-value products for global markets.
Manufacturing opportunities also exist in food, garments, and nutraceutical products. Fiji produces high-value products such as ginger and turmeric, and we are looking at opportunities to convert these into value-added products. This also includes exploring the potential of kava as a nutraceutical product.
These sectors are central to our efforts to diversify Fiji's economy and reduce its reliance on tourism. At the same time, developing these industries can support import substitution, including by producing more of the goods and products required by Fiji's tourism sector locally.
3. What are some of Fiji's key advantages for international investors?
One of Fiji's most important advantages for international investors is access to the regional market.
Fiji has a number of trade agreements and is well positioned as a hub for connecting to the wider Pacific. This means investors are not limited to Fiji's population of close to one million people but can also access markets across the region.
As a regional hub, Fiji has strong sea and air connections to other Pacific Island countries, making it easier for companies to distribute products and services throughout the region. Fiji's English-speaking population is another advantage, particularly for international companies, including those from the United States, looking to establish operations and serve the Pacific market.
Infrastructure is also an important advantage. Fiji has established roads, airports, transport connections, and other key infrastructure. This provides a strong base for companies looking to manufacture or operate from Fiji and supply the wider region. Businesses can also benefit from access to reasonably priced electricity.
Another key strength is Fiji's young and dynamic population, with a median age of around 28.3 years. Fiji also has three universities, along with a range of training programmes and institutions, contributing to a highly educated workforce and a high literacy rate.
Fiji's advantages also vary by sector. For outsourcing and ICT, key strengths include the English language, natural accents, and a favourable time zone. For agriculture, land is available through leasing arrangements, which can help reduce the initial cost of establishing operations. In manufacturing, Fiji's trade agreements provide greater access to regional and international markets.
Finally, tourism continues to benefit from Fiji's natural beauty, rich culture, and welcoming people. Together, these advantages make Fiji an attractive base for international investors looking to operate in Fiji and expand into the wider Pacific region.
4. The US is an important potential source of investment and business partnerships. Which opportunities do you see for attracting more American companies and investors to Fiji, and which sectors are likely to be particularly attractive to US businesses?
The US is a diverse market, and we believe the sector opportunities I have highlighted can attract a wide range of US companies.
The US remains an important market for Fiji, both for exports and investment. It is one of our largest export markets and is currently our leading source of investment.
Two important examples of US companies that have established operations in Fiji are Fiji Water and Google. They demonstrate how US companies can establish a presence in Fiji and use it as a base to serve the region or global markets.
We see opportunities for US investment across several sectors, including tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy.
US investors can also bring valuable technology and expertise to help address social and infrastructure challenges, including affordable housing, waste management, water, and other areas.
For us, the US remains an important part of our investment strategy.
Another important area is the Fijian diaspora in the US. We have a large Fijian community there that contributes significantly to the country. We continue to engage with the diaspora and encourage them to invest back into Fiji.
5. Investment Fiji also works to connect local businesses with international markets. How is your organisation helping Fijian companies scale, become more competitive and integrate into regional and global value chains?
One of our key strategies is to help Fijian companies integrate into global value chains and supply chains.
For Fiji to compete globally and become part of these value chains, we need to organise our sectors effectively and clearly identify the products and opportunities they can offer.
We work with the existing ecosystem, including farmers, businesses, and government departments, and look at how we can bring investors into that ecosystem to strengthen each sector and support its growth.
Once this is in place, we help businesses and investors find suitable partners. In some cases, we start by identifying the partner or market and then connect them with the local ecosystem.
We have had many cases where we have identified a market and connected it with the local ecosystem, helping to build a stronger and more active sector.
We work across a range of products, from water and agricultural products to opportunities in regional and global markets, with the aim of integrating Fijian businesses into global value chains and supply chains.
A recent example is coffee. We have identified a partner for Fijian coffee, and we expect this partnership to help Fiji's coffee industry grow and become a stronger part of global value chains and supply chains.
6. Improving the ease of doing business is critical to investor confidence. What reforms or initiatives are being implemented to streamline investment processes and make it easier for international companies to establish operations in Fiji?
In developing economies, two of the biggest challenges are infrastructure and ease of doing business. Making business processes simpler and more efficient is something we work on every day as an organisation.
One of our key roles is to ensure that investors can establish their businesses in Fiji as quickly and easily as possible. When an investor comes to Fiji, we assign a dedicated case officer who works with them and supports them throughout their investment journey.
We also work closely with the government, through the Ministry of Commerce, to facilitate projects more quickly and improve the overall business environment.
The government is very pro-investment and recognises that investment is critical to achieving Fiji's economic growth target of 5%. To support this, the government has established an Investment Facilitation Committee, involving ministers, to assist investment projects. There is also a high-level facilitation committee under the Prime Minister's Office for projects that require urgent assistance.
The broader goal is to digitise the entire process, making it easier for investors and reducing the need to provide the same information multiple times.
The government has introduced the businessNow Platform, which has already brought the first approval agencies online. Work has also begun to digitise other processes, including construction permits.
Bringing these processes online can help address many of the challenges related to ease of doing business.
While challenges remain, the government is committed to supporting investment and making the investment process in Fiji more efficient.
7. Sustainable investment is becoming increasingly important globally. How is Investment Fiji promoting opportunities in renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, the blue economy and other sectors that deliver both economic and environmental benefits?
We have sector-specific strategies, but sustainability is a priority across all of them. For us, two important areas are sustainability and technology.
As an organisation, we focus on attracting investment that is sustainable across different sectors. For example, in agriculture, we consider whether an investment is sustainable for the country and whether it has a positive impact on the environment.
Sustainability is our first priority.
We are actively working to attract investment in the blue and green economies, as well as in recycling and solutions that support the reuse of products and materials.
Most recently, we partnered with UNIDO to work with the private sector on replacing some of the plastic packaging currently used in the country.
As part of this initiative, we brought in technology providers, and next year we will connect private-sector companies with them to explore how they can improve their packaging and access the support needed to move towards more sustainable alternatives.
Overall, sustainability remains a central focus for our organisation and the investments we seek to attract.
8. Connectivity and infrastructure are fundamental to investment decisions in an island economy. What improvements in transport, logistics, energy, telecommunications and digital infrastructure could have the greatest impact on Fiji's ability to attract new investment?
Infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges facing developing and island economies.
Fiji has experienced strong growth in investment activity, including the development of many new tourism properties. However, infrastructure has not always been able to keep pace with this growth.
As an organisation, we have started working with infrastructure agencies through an infrastructure planning group to improve long-term planning.
Our aim is to use data to better understand where development is likely to take place over the next 10 years, where investment is coming in, and what infrastructure will be required, including energy, roads, water, and other essential services.
We are also exploring public-private partnership models and, in some cases, encouraging investors to work directly with government agencies.
Some investors have developed their own short-term solutions, particularly for waste and water, until public infrastructure becomes available.
Looking ahead, our focus is on ensuring that infrastructure is developed in areas where future growth and investment are expected. This will help us attract and support more investment in those locations.
We are also encouraging investors to use renewable energy and develop their own infrastructure solutions where possible, reducing their reliance on public infrastructure.
9. Looking ahead, what are Investment Fiji's priorities for the next five to ten years, and what types of investors and projects would you most like to see coming to Fiji?
Over the next five to ten years, our strategy is to increase investment to more than 25% of GDP.
Investment plays a critical role in Fiji’s economic development. Our focus is on attracting more sustainable investment that supports the country’s long-term growth and development.
Over the next ten years, we expect the tourism sector to become further developed, while agriculture and other areas of economic diversification become much stronger.
Our goal is to build a more diversified economy, .not simply to achieve economic growth, but to ensure that growth is diversified and sustainable.
Ultimately, these investments should improve the lives of our people by creating more jobs, increasing incomes, and improving living standards, with positive benefits for future generations.
A stronger and growing economy can also support better education, healthcare, and public services, contributing to Fiji’s long-term development.
10. Finally, what message would you like to share with LA Times readers about Fiji as an investment destination, and why should American businesses and investors be looking more closely at the opportunities emerging across the Fijian economy?
Fiji, as I mentioned earlier, is well positioned as a regional hub and gateway to the Pacific.
It is a unique part of the world, with a rich culture, welcoming people, and an attractive lifestyle. For investors looking for something different—both in terms of lifestyle and opportunities to address new challenges, the Pacific offers significant potential, and Fiji can provide a gateway into the region.
Fiji also has a number of strong and vibrant economic sectors with opportunities for investment.
For long-term investors seeking long-term returns, Fiji is a destination worth considering. The opportunity is not only about lifestyle. Fiji has active sectors of the economy, with successful examples of companies making significant investments and achieving returns.
As a small island developing nation in the Pacific, Fiji offers a range of opportunities for investors. We welcome greater investment from the US and look forward to building stronger investment partnerships.
Join the Investment Business Association (IBA) and connect with Fiji’s business community 👉 https://iba.org.fj/
