DPM Kamikamica outlines Ministry’s plans
THE Government is committed to several actions with an assurance that the people of Fiji would be involved and their Government would listen to their views.
This was highlighted by the Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, Manoa
Kamikamica, while contributing to the motion on the address by the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, during the opening the 2024 Session of Parliament earlier this month.
“There has been the Fiscal Committee review, the Economic Summit and Education Summit - this approach of listening to the people works well and will continue,” he said.
“We ratified on a bi partisan basis, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Pillar 2 Supply Chain, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka invited the leader of Opposition to COP28 and member of the Parliament Faiyaz Koya attended as well.”
“We intend to bring two further Pillars Pillar 3: Clean Economy and Pillar 4: Fair Economy to Parliament for ratification on a bi-partisan basis,” he shared.
“I am also happy to note that the National Taskforce on Pornography was approved in Cabinet and will be approached on a bi partisan basis as well,” DPM Kamikamica added.
He noted that in opening the Parliament, President Katonivere talked about Rebuilding Fiji – from infrastructure, the truth and reconciliation commission, speeding up the green transition, updating and reviewing legislation amongst others.
“In the pursuit of progress and prosperity let us be guided by the principles of justice, equality, and compassion, and continue to rebuild Fiji where every individual has the opportunity to prosper and progress,” DPM Kamikamica stressed.
“At present, the debt to GDP is around 75.6 percent and remains unsustainable and the ministry will do its utmost to continue to target higher GDP growth rates (at least 5% per annum) in working together with all agencies of Government and the Private sector and Civil society.”
“Our Ministry believes this can be achieved by pushing for an investor friendly environment, driving opportunities for new Investment and trade growth and pushing for digitization of the Fijian economy,” he added.
DPM Kamikamica said that the ministry will continue to strive for an investor friendly environment especially ease of doing business collaborating with the private sector and drive closer, stronger and broader trade and investment ties with all partners.
“We will continue to drive for genuine economic diversification, focus on regional hubbing agenda and continue to focus on harnessing ICT in Fiji,” he said.
“With the change in investment Fiji’s mandate from being a regulator to facilitator of domestic and foreign investment, we are making good progress in terms of driving investment in Fiji,” he noted.
“The current investment pipeline stands at FJ$3 billion and growing - there is a mood to invest in the country from renewable energy, commercial agriculture, tourism and expansion of existing operations such as Fiji Water recently.”
“We have created an Investment Facilitation Committee which is an interagency committee which looks at investment bottlenecks and tries to fix them and a taskforce to aid with the set-up of Commercial Agriculture,” he added.
DPM Kamikamica stated that a pilot phase of Automation of Business processes relating to starting business and the building permit approvals is underway which aims to automate 25 processes across 16 agencies.
He adds that the development of the Medicinal Cannabis Industry as well as a broader Nutraceutical economy including a potential billion-dollar Kava Industry was a key focus for the Fiji Government.