20 May, 2019

President of the China Council of the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Guangzhou, Mr Yang Yong;

Executive Member of the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Peter Maize;

Distinguished Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Bula vinaka, Ni Hao and a very good evening to you all.

It is my pleasure to welcome the delegation from CCPIT and senior business representatives from Guangzhou to Fiji. I acknowledge the presence of the President, Director General and the Director Liaison of CCPIT. They show great commitment in strengthening trade relations with Fiji.

Just last month, I attended the 2nd Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, along with two other Fijian Ministers, after launching the Macau-Fiji Chamber of Commerce, in Macau on 23 April. I was impressed by the dynamism and development in the greater China region and response from the business communities have been very encouraging.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Trade and Investment has always been an important factor in the bilateral relationship between Fiji and China. In particular, Fiji’s relationship with Guandong Province is to be applauded as Fiji has benefitted and continues to benefit from a number of key investments and development assistance over recent years.

Suva City Council Civic Centre has recently been upgraded by the Guandong Province ensuring its enhancement as a high class venue for significant cultural, civic and business events. Last year the Marist Brothers High School in Suva were the beneficiaries of a new synthetic athletics track. Over the next few years, future projects planned by Guandong Province include the construction of Valelevu Stadium in partnership with Nasinu Town Council.

Guangzhou is the most populous city of the Province of Guandong and is Sister City to Fiji’s capital – Suva. Both cities are known for their great beauty. Suva is a major port for Fiji and an emerging economic hub in the region. Guangzhou has been a pioneer for the economic development of China and Suva is open to the lessons learned. This is why we encourage our Sister City relationships.

As the Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism and Local Government, I am very encouraged by the strengthening of relationships between Guangzhou and Suva City. We are looking at possible cooperation and assistance on the prospects of improving urban infrastructure as we develop our open spaces, sporting facilities and improvements for micro business infrastructure. Potential partnerships in each of these areas, is seen of high value to the people of Greater Suva.

Ladies and Gentlemen

In terms of trade and investment there are significant untapped potentials to explore.

Fiji, being a small island country, is not a supplier of mass products nor do we intend to become one. Fiji is a brand that is synonymous with quality, pristine environment and uniqueness. Fiji provides the opportunity to access a market of over 49 million people, as we are the hub that links to the rest of the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand.

Fiji also has some of the most exotic locations in the world, from idyllic beaches, sand dunes, tropical rain forests, mountains, rivers, waterfalls and rolling hills to city for shooting of feature films, television commercials and photography. Most scripts can be shot here in Fiji.

I hope you will get an opportunity to visit these sites and experience the real Fiji.

Since your stay is relatively short in Fiji, I wish to highlight a few key facts to give you a broader picture.

Trade flows between Fiji and China have been flourishing in recent years. Over the past five years, average exports to China totaled $108.6 million whilst imports averaged $742.7 million. Total two-way trade between Fiji and China reached its peak in 2018, amounting to $1.05 billion. A total of 277 Chinese investment projects were successfully implemented over the last five-years’ worth approximately F$2.36 billion.

Tourism is Fiji’s major export and foreign exchange earner. Fiji is known for its cultural diversity, beautiful landscape and friendly people. In recent years, China has become Fiji’s most rapidly growing market. The Chinese annual arrivals in Fiji in the past five years, have grown from 28,333 visitors in 2014 to 49,271 in 2018, registering an increase of around 74%.

Though the numbers are small by Chinese standard, the trend is very encouraging particularly when Fiji’s tourism development strategy has been focusing on high-end, high yield tourism, rather than mass tourism. The number of direct flights from Hong Kong to Nadi has also increased from 2 to 5 per week.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Before I conclude, I congratulate everyone on the success of today’s business seminar organized by CCPIT Guangzhou and the Fiji Chamber of Commerce. I know that you have discussed potential trade ventures, that you have identified and explored pathways between local partners and our visiting Guangzhou friends to take these ventures forward.

As Minister, I am personally committed to achieve the outcomes of the meeting and will assist in fostering and strengthening the relationships that have been developed.

I wish to re-emphasise that to continue and extend that momentum, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, in collaboration with our Consulate General/Trade Commission in Shanghai, will redouble our efforts to export more premium Fijian made products and services to the Chinese consumers and attract more high quality Chinese investments to Fiji.
With those words, I wish you a great evening and enjoy the dinner.

Xie Xie! Vinaka Vakalevu! Thank You!

View PDF-> Minister’s Speech- Business Summit 2019- Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry – 15 April 2019