The Honorary Consul of Fiji in Auckland has appealed to New Zealand based Fijian businesses to consider investing in their homeland in various sectors of the economy and benefit from the incentives provided by the Government.
Harish Lodhia has also invited them to join the delegation to Fiji in August to witness and experience exciting developments occurring in the South Pacific nation.
“The investor-friendly policies of the Fijian Government have opened up several opportunities for participation of foreign investors, companies and businesspersons. A number of incentives are also available. We invite Fijians in particular to look at these opportunities because they understand their home country, its economy and the way of life that is unique to Fiji,” he said.
Growing potential
Mr Lodhia said that the Fijian Government is keen to foster economic and industrial growth to deliver higher levels of progress and prosperity for all Fijians.
“There is growing potential for individuals and private companies in Fiji’s real estate, business, industry, and a host of commercial ventures. With a series of incentives and other facilities, the country is the most attractive destination for investors, just as it is for tourists in the South Pacific,” he said.
Apart from foreign investors, former citizens of Fiji who have migrated to New Zealand will also find their homeland replete with opportunities in a number of areas, including infrastructure development, he added.
August delegation
“We are considering the possibilities of organising the visit of a small delegation of interested businesspersons to Fiji in August, 2013. The group will meet government officials, agencies, professionals and Fijian businesspersons and assess the existing and emerging opportunities,” Mr Lodhia said.
As reported in our April 1, 2013 issue, a delegation of 12 businesspersons that visited Fiji in March found the investment and political climate stable and attractive for investment.
“The visit was an eye-opener and conditions in Fiji were totally contrary to what they read and hear on mainstream media here,” they said.
Exciting developments
Wellington based Acting Head of Fijian Mission Mere Tora, who initiated and led the trade mission, said that it was important for New Zealand companies to visit Fiji and learn first-hand about the country, its business practices and people.
“There is immense potential for commercial and industrial enterprises in New Zealand to engage with their counterparts in Fiji for mutual benefit. There are exciting developments occurring in Fiji as the delegation witnessed during their visit,” she told Indian Newslink on her return.
Genuine interest
Mr Lodhia has sent a letter to a number of companies asking them to express their interest in joining the delegation in August 2013.
He said that businesses interested in joining the delegation should not be involved in politics or be actively engaged to any political party in New Zealand or Fiji.
“Former Residents of Fiji with business interests in Fiji (as founders, directors or former senior executives), those keen on investing in Fiji or in establishing business links as distributors, wholesalers and retailers in Fiji would find the visit useful since they would have opportunities to talk to the concerned officials and businesses directly and easily,” he said.
According to Mr Lodhia, those organising tourist groups to Fiji, offering packages including accommodation, sightseeing and other services can also join the delegation.
“We can consider several such delegations, each comprising a small group of about 10 to 12 persons so that everyone can derive the benefit of consultations, discussions and meetings in Fiji,” he said.
