Symposium In NZ to Promote trade, Investment Opportunities In Fiji
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will be a keynote speaker at the event, along with the Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Faiyaz Siddiq Koya
The Fiji Trade and Investment Symposium next week in New Zealand is hoped to encourage New Zealand investors to consider Fiji as a viable investment destination.
This would be in the areas of ICT, tourism, light manufacturing and agriculture sectors. The Symposium will be held on October 20 at the Stamford Plaza Hotel in Auckland. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will be a keynote speaker at the event, along with the Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Faiyaz Siddiq Koya.
This will be Mr Bainimarama’s first official visit to New Zealand in his role as the Prime Minister. The symposium is being organised by the Fijian High Commissioner, Filimone Waqabaca, in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Tourism and the Office of the Consular General and Trade Commissioner. Mr Waqabaca said they also hope to urge more New Zealand businesses to source Fijian-made products for New Zealand consumers.
There will also be valuable opportunities for participants to listen to and network with senior executives from key Fijian government agencies as well as the private sector.
“It is a great honour to have the Prime Minister and Minister joining us at the Symposium,” Mr Waqabaca said.
“We hope will attract a range of delegates – from existing business people who have interests in Fiji already, to new investors contemplating getting involved in business in the focus areas.”
Growing members
NZ Fiji Business Council President, Chandar Sen, said the Symposium is a fantastic opportunity for the 80-plus members of the council, a number which has grown dramatically
over the past three years. “It will be advantageous for our members to hear the Prime Minister and Minister Faiyaz Siddiq Koya speak and to meet members in New Zealand,” Mr Sen said.
“Fiji has received a vote of confidence from the business community in New Zealand due to the business-friendly frameworks the Fijian Government has in place. “More and more, people are looking to Fiji to do business. Earlier this year we took around 30 members to Fiji for the NZ Fiji Business Council Business Mission. In the past, we have had around 10-12 people only. “This month we had a quarter of our members attend the joint business conference (Combined Fiji-NZ/NZ-Fiji Business Council Conference at Pacific Harbour, Fiji).
“This is an indicator of the renewed confidence in Fiji.” Both Mr Waqabaca and Mr Sen are anticipating a good turnout at the Symposium which they believe will provide information and many potential opportunities for those who attend.