First Franco-Fijian Business Dialogue Opened by A-G
The first Franco-Fijian Business Dialogue was officiated yesterday by the Acting Prime Minister, Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
The event was hosted by the French Ambassador Sujiro Seam at his residence in Suva. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum commended Mr Seam for taking the initiative to have the dialogue as previously the France-Fiji relationship was only seen as a diplomatic one.
He said there are a number of opportunities that actually do exist in Fiji for French companies in particular.
He highlighted there is a lot of potential in terms of areas of business and this is because of Government policies and the vision set by the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
He said it is also being propelled by the fact that Government is looking and thinking outside the box. He noted examples such as the previous Government services that are now being outsourced.
For example, he highlighted roadmaking, he said it was all done inhouse (Government) and now they have outsourced it to the Fiji Roads Authority and also New Zealand companies.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said there is a lot of potential for French compa- nies in that space.
The dialogue was attended by representatives from French companies currently operating in Fiji as well as potential investors and their Fijian counterparts.
Mr Seam said: “When I was appointed the ambassador of France to Fiji six months ago, economic diplomacy became a high priority for me. “If you ask about economic diplomacy, it’s about convincing French companies to consider Fiji as a business destination.
“It’s also about assisting French companies to grow their activity here in Fiji and it’s about developing a network of French and Fijian actors.” He said it was a perfect time to launch the Franco-Fijian dialogue. “It provides a platform for French and Fijian economic actors to discuss business issues leading to the development of more and better Franco-Fijian business.
“My vision is to have three to four meetings a year, those meeting are designed to address thematic issues such as business environment, regulatory matters, tax matters, business in infrastructure, sustainable development, food products new technology, financial services and regional business.”