Investment Fiji hosted the Fiji-New Caledonia Investment Webinar on Wednesday which provided Fijian businesses an opportunity to connect with potential New Caledonia businesses and build a strategic relation benefiting both countries.
According to a statement from Investment Fiji this was a joint initiative by New Caledonia Trade & Invest (NCT&I) and Investment Fiji.
Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport (MCTTT), Faiyaz Koya officially opened the seminar which was attended by industry representatives and businesses from New Caledonia as well as French based companies in Fiji.
Mr Koya said the investment webinar created a pathway for both countries to build strong partnerships exploring investment opportunities in the areas of agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and business process outsourcing (BPO).
He added the COVID-19 pandemic brought global lockdowns which had affected trade and investment, especially in the region therefore restoration of cross-border trade and investment was vital in driving the regional economic recovery.
“This can be achieved through regional solidarity.
By building regional trade and economic linkages, we will set the foundation for our economic recovery and a platform for the Pacific Island countries to venture in the global trade arena,” he said.
Investment Fiji’s board chair Jenny Seeto said significant untapped economic potential existed between Fiji and New Caledonia.
She went on to commend the NCT&I for continuously supporting and striving to enhance trade and investment between their countries.
Ms Seeto referred to the new Investment Act which provides for the rights, protection and obligations for all investors as well as the mandate of Investment Fiji to focus on increasing the success of Fijian businesses globally and match high impact investment capital with Fijian businesses and investment opportunities.
NCT& I director, Cécile Chamboredon highlighted many New Caledonian companies were targeting the Fijian market. She said it was important they were able to seize business opportunities in the current environment.
“Fiji has been hit harder than us by COVID and is looking for investors for its sectors and economic actors. The very high vaccination rate makes it possible to envisage a reopening in the near future. This territory, populated and heart of the Pacific, can offer great opportunities for our investors.”
Investment Fiji acting chief executive officer Kamal Chetty said a lot of potential existed for New Caledonia to connect with Fijian businesses.
He presented on the Fijian Government’s attractive new incentives, opportunities and initiatives undertaken by Investment Fiji to attract new investment and promote Fijian products.
“This is another successful collaboration with the NCT&I team to showcase the investment assets of Fiji and to build stronger bonds between our countries,” he said.
“A lot of investment opportunities exists in agriculture, tourism, ICT, manufacturing and BPO sector with various tax holiday and incentives.”
