Fiji-New Caledonia Business Meet to Strengthen Trade Relations: A-G
There is a lot of potential for businesses in New Caledonia to invest in Fiji. Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum made this comment while opening the inaugural Fiji-New Caledonia Business Forum at Suva’s Grand Pacific Hotel yesterday afternoon.
Investment Fiji in partnership with New Caledonia Trade & Invest is facilitating the New Caledonia -Economic Mission to Fiji which ends tomorrow.
The mission consists of 26 prominent companies from New Caledonia who are seeking investment and trade opportunities in Fiji as part of their comprehensive inmarket survey. The key interest of the delegation is in the areas of food and beverages, building and construction, banking, energy, forestry, health and medical services, ICT, water and sanitation and agriculture.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said there are lot of opportunities between Fiji and New Caledonia in respect to trade, collaborations, and the ability to develop the synergy that exists between the two countries. He welcomed the delegation and also thanked New Caledonia’s government for this initiative and also the need to ensure they develop these relationships which have a potential to grow tremendously.
He stated with the existence of some French companies in Fiji and various other organisation, it provides an opportunity for companies that are based in New Caledonia in the area of infrastructure on road making and other areas to invest in Fiji.
In the past couple of years he saidthey have worked diligently to expand
the economy.
He said to liberalise the economy in the sense that they have now removed the number of the legal impediments for foreign investors to Fiji where foreign investors have a lot more opportunity to invest in areas perhaps they didn’t do so before.
He added they are currently investing heavily in the area of ITC. He also spoke mentioned the Government’s digitilisation programme and working with the Singapore Government through the Singapore Corporation Enterprise. He said Government has expanded almost $40 million in the area of improving the digitilisation programme. This would mean as an investor they would have an ability to apply or launch applications online with the bizFiji portal. The bizFiji portal will create not only a new level of transparency in the decision making process, but also sets a very fast tracking system.
New Caledonia
Spokesperson and Member of New Caledonia Government in charge of the Economy, External Trade, Taxation, Digital and Sea Economy and Solidarity Policy, Christopher Gyges said: “The government seeks to pursue a regional policy aimed at integrating New Caledonia in the Pacific while building strong economic links with our friends in the region.
“New Caledonia cannot envisage a relevant regional cooperation without specific agreements with Fiji,” Mr Gyges said.
Pillars
This policy mainly rests on three pillars.
The strengthening of New Caledonia multilateral cooperation. ■Bilateral Cooperation
■Development of New Caledonia Trade and Economic Exchanges. Mr Gyges said: “A record number of New Caledonian companies are participating in this mission of economic diplomacy which demonstrates a strong willingness to work together.
“They are accompanied and supported by the cluster New Caledonia Trade and Invest, the Government of New Caledonia’s main partner in its export-support policy.”
Meeting
The three days of meetings and exchanges will enable New Caledonian delegates and their Fijian counterparts to build close relationships which will lead to fruitful collaborations and partnerships. Meanwhile Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and President of Congress of New Caledonia, Chief Roch Wamytan officiated the welcoming of the Fiji-New Caledonia Business Forum delegates earlier in the day.