Countries work on resolution
THE New Zealand-Fiji Business Council had worked well with Fiji Revenue and Customs Service and the New Zealand High Commission in terms of resolving an outstanding matter which was the interpretation of the double tax agreement.
Council president Chandar Sen said the two tax departments had a different spin on this and they were beginning to see refunds, on a few withholding tax which had been held.
While speaking at the Fiji and New Zealand business meeting in Suva on Wednesday, he said he was pleased to see they could work together as well as iron out their differences to come to a resolution.
In terms of reaching the $2 billion trade mark Mr Sen said they would like to reach that target by 2025.
“I don’t think it's hard — it’s a smart target and this here is certainly an indicator that it is not unachievable,” said Mr Sen.
“The membership numbers of our council in five to six years ago was 40 in New Zealand.”
He said now those numbers had crossed 100 which was another indicator that there was interest from New Zealand businesses coming to Fiji to do business.
“Fiji businesses work with our counterparts or with new Zealand companies, but new Zealand businesses don't just come here to do business or perform work but they do come here to actually invest as well.
“There are many Fijian citizens who have moved to New Zealand and for a while has called New Zealand home are now coming back,” he said.
“Wealth creation means everyone does well, it may not be at the same level but everyone does well if we create wealth and to do that we must have our governments to do their part.”
He requested for a first class diplomatic relationship as well as to set a framework where businesses could thrive.
“In terms of the framework New Zealand has been rated at No. 1 in terms of the ease of doing business and there is of course opportunities for Fiji to move up as well.
“We see that it's an opportunity and its nothing negative, it's just a number, we know where we stand and there is an opportunity to move up.”
The New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr said both ministers had committed themselves to building stronger trade and economic ties between the two countries.
“New Zealand is one of Fiji's largest destinations for its exports, and we are among the top four foreign direct investors in this economy.
“There are vibrant diaspora communities in both countries that help fuel the trade, economic and people-to-people relationships that we enjoy today,” he said.