Resumption of Direct flights opens path for Japanese Businesses
The resumption of direct flights from Japan to Fiji has opened a pathway for Japanese businesses to set up in Fiji
This was revealed by the Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Norihiro Nakayama yesterday during the opening of the Fiji-Japan Trade and Investment Seminar.
Japanese businesses
He said about 20 Japanese companies are already doing business in Fiji.
“I hope that through this visit, business to business exchanges between Japan and Fiji will be deeper. He says the Japnese Embassy will be hosting exchange events to mark the 50th year anniversary of Japan and Fiji’s diplomatic relationsip.
“Furthermore, Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games will be held, we hope that at this occasion our bilateral relations and grassroots exchanges will be further enhanced,” he said.
Fiji exports
Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Premila Kumar highlighgted during the openning of the trade seminar that Fiji and Japan trade was valued at $428.2 million.
“As of 2018, Fijian exports to Japan was valued at $161.5 million, and imports were around $266.6 million. The two-day seminar was opened at the University of the South Pacific Japan ICT multipurpose theatre. Mrs Kumar says Fiji needs to increase its exports.
“Our bilateral links extend to development and education assistance, increase in people to people links and of course at the diplomatic level.
“We have also seen a steady stream of senior-level visits by both countries, including the recent State visit by our Prime Minister and his participation at the PALM 8 Meeting in 2018.
“These visits set a positive tone for the future of the relationship,” she said.
The trade minister says Japanese investments in Fiji over the past five years has totalled to approximately $4.5 million with the potential to increase further with the resumption of direct flights between Fiji and Japan.
“There is potential for joint venture projects, such as, sporting facilities, community infrastructure, shopping arcades, waste management infrastructure,” she said.
The trade seminar ended yesterday.