publication: Fiji Government

The Government of Fiji is exploring investment options to revive its shipbuilding industry. There is Land  available for this opportunity, with basic infrastructure and facilities for shipbuilding. The Government will also get its own shipbuilding requirements met through this project for at least five (5) years.

The business model would be based on a joint venture involving Fiji Ships and Heavy Industry Limited, which is a subsidiary of Fiji Ports Corporation Pte Limited. The foreign/local investor(s) are expected to bring in their own capital, technology, and design capabilities.

Expressions of interest are invited from interested parties for this joint venture investment opportunity. Your proposals need to inter-alia include:

• amount of investment for the project;
• description of technology and design capabilities; and
• background of previous investment involvement in this area

The deadline for receipt of Expressions of Interest is COB on Friday, 22nd September 2023.

Expressions of interest are to be emailed to [email protected] . Further information can be obtained by contacting Ms. Dorris Kumar via e-mail [email protected]  or by phone at 3315577/890 2565.

WE’RE HIRING! We have a number of roles available at our Sydney and Auckland offices. For the full job description, eligibility criteria and information on how to apply, please follow the links below:

– Consular Assistant (Sydney): https://www.seek.com.au/job/69832136

Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) in partnership with Aspen Medical – Fiji invites tenders for the design and construction of Lautoka Hospital Main Works involving the development of building infrastructure to accommodate 305 beds within a brownfield environment.
https://lnkd.in/gVrh9RbA

Telstra, a global telecommunications company, may consider the construction of a call centre in Fiji, according to recent talks between Telstra executives and the Fijian Government.

The meeting, held last week, involved Telstra Enterprise group executive, David Burns.

Telstra is a prominent Australian telecommunications and technology company, with a workforce of more than 20,000 employees.

Minister for Communications, Manoa Kamikamica, expressed enthusiasm about the potential investment by Telstra in Fiji, stating that it would have a significant impact on the country, which could lead to job creation, skill development and economic growth.

“They want to grow their business here,” Mr Kamikamica said.

“They want to invest more.

“It was a general discussion on communication and how they can grow their business here.

“We just have to see how we can work together.”

Telstra’s presence in Fiji has already been established through its acquisition of Digicel Pacific, in partnership with the Australian Government in 2022.

Digicel Pacific, operating in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu, now operates under Telstra’s ownership.

“We have to treat them with respect and develop a relationship,” Mr Kamikamica said.

SunBiz reached out to Digicel for information on Telstra’s rollout plans here and was told about the implementation of the 5G network as its current strategy.

“I will need to find out what was said there,” Digicel Regional Marketing, PR and Sponsorship manager, Satish Narain, said.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2023/06/28/telstra-government-talk-experience/

New Requirements For Change Of Name Now In Effect

The elimination of fees to apply for a change of name under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration (Amendment) Act 2021, are now in effect. Any person wishing to change their name or adopt additional names simply has to apply for a change of name with Births, Deaths & Marriages.

You will not be required to pay any fees, nor submit a Deed Poll. The application also does not require the person to provide any justification or reasons for the new name. There are no limitations on how many times a person can change their name. If you change your name you must only use the birth certificate with the new name on it and cannot use your previous birth certificate.

For new passports, please be advised that if you need to change name or add name(s) you must register with Births Deaths and Marriages and obtain an amended birth certificate with the new name on it. You must present the birth certificate with the name you wish to have on your passport.

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF CHANGE OF NAME

To apply for a birth certificate, please click here.

Hon. Senator Zed Sesalja, Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific;

H.E. John Feakes, Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji;

Mr Warwick Pleass, President of Fiji-Australia Business Council;

Ms Allison Haworth-West, President of Australia-Fiji Business Council;

Mr Saud Minam, Vice-President of Fiji-Australia Business Council;

Members of the Fiji-Australia and Australia-Fiji Business Councils;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Bula Vinaka and a very good evening to you all – it is a pleasure to speak to you at this evening’s meeting.

Fiji and Australia share a strong and enduring relationship, demonstrated by the signing of the ‘Vuvale Partnership’ in 2019. ‘Vuvale’ of course means family – and it reflects the depth, breadth and warmth of our relationship and paves the way for deeper business, trade and economic links.

Our close people-to-people contacts have resulted in extensive business ties between Australia and Fiji – with over 3,000 Aussie companies doing business in Fiji and 61,000 Fijians now living and working in Australia.
Fiji is also one of the top tourism destinations for Australians, with over 367,000 Australians visiting Fiji back in 2019 – and we look forward to welcoming Aussies back to our shores in December.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Australia remains one of Fiji’s largest trade and investment partners. Total Australian investment in Fiji is valued at approximately $2.07 billion in 2019, focusing on tourism, the financial sector and manufacturing. Two-way goods and services trade has also been steadily increasing year-on-year, totaling $2.47 billion in 2019.

Australia is Fiji’s second largest export destination, accounting for 12.9% of all Fijian exports and valued at over $280 million. Primary exports include gold and garments, but we have also seen an increased demand for Fijian agricultural and cosmetic products, with total exports increasing year-on-year.

You can now see more Fijian products coming into the mainstream retail market in Australia. If you visit Amazon Australia you will also see a range of beauty and skin care products from brands such Loloma, Pure Fiji, Naturally Fiji and Nama Fiji. And if you go to your local Cole’s supermarket or Chemist Warehouse you will now see Fiji Kava’s range of sleep, mind and body supplements.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The export of kava remains a substantial earner for Fiji, raking in around $43.6 million in 2020. Kava has diversified into products such as flavoured kava beverage, ready to drink mix, capsules, micronized kava and also kava fit for pharmaceutical and complementary medicine.

During the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting this year, Australia has confirmed the launch of the commercial kava pilot programme by the end of 2021. This will provide an important boost to the Fijian Kava industry and help meet the growing demand for kava, especially by the Fijian diaspora.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Growing international demand for near-shore outsourcing services presents opportunities in Fiji as the regional outsourcing hub. Fiji’s renowned culture of hospitality and resourcefulness, combined with its strategic location as the Hub and world class internet connectivity, means that it is well positioned to deliver exceptional value for clients.
Our best resource is our dynamic human capital. Fiji has a young, multicultural, vibrant and well-educated workforce – with 50% of our population under the age of 27 and a literacy rate of 96%.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Although a sharp decline in economic activities due to COVID-19 pandemic, this presented us with opportunities to rethink and re-align strategies.

The recent 2021/22 budget provides numerous regulatory changes, low and competitive tax regime, and introduction of attractive tax incentive packages across a number of sectors, with a focus on economic diversification, making Fiji a more viable environment for doing business.

There are various duty exemptions and tax holidays available for investments in:

● agro-processing,
● recycling sector,
● manufacturing of pharmaceutical products,
● new projects relating to construction of new hotels and integrated tourism development sites, and,
● infrastructure that supports the BPO sector, such as contact and data centres.

There are also major incentives for investment in ICT enabling infrastructure and services, such as ICT cable landing and associated infrastructure, accredited training institutions and ICT start-ups and a 200% tax deduction on the development or upgrade of online shopping websites with integrated payment platforms.

Fiji has reduced duty on around 2,000 customs tariff-line items unilaterally, with duty exemptions for investment in green energy and technology. There will be more incentives and concessions for environmental goods and services following the conclusion of negotiations on the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

An effective health response has enabled us secure a sustainable foundation for our economic recovery. Thanks to our key partners like Australia – over 96% of our target population have had their first dose to date and we have achieved our target of 80% of fully vaccinated adults in Fiji on 9 October 2021 — 3 weeks ahead of schedule.

The pace and penetration of the vaccine rollout has presented the best route towards fewer restrictions, recommencement of business operation with COVID-Safe protocols, and the return of international tourists.
In addition to vaccination, a nationwide adherence to COVID-Safe Protocols by Fijians has ensured that Fiji was able to successfully contain the spread of the virus. Hence, this success has led Fiji to reopen its international borders.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On 10 October 2021, the Hon Prime Minister announced the list of over 20 Travel Partner countries, which includes our key markets of Australia and New Zealand. As of 1 December 2021, the Fijian borders will reopen to these Travel

Partner countries for “quarantine-free” travel.

In order for any traveller to qualify for “quarantine-free” travel, they must be fully vaccinated, must have stayed in one of the Travel Partner countries for at least 10 days.
For Australian planning to visit Fiji, we encourage you to do so. You will no longer be confined to your hotel room. You will be able to move around all Care Fiji Commitment (CFC) certified or approved properties, excursions, and tours.

And this is what you need to do:

● Pre-book accommodation at a CFC certified hotel or resort.
● Provide a negative RT-PCR COVID test result (3 days prior to departure).
● Provide proof of being fully vaccinated.
● Must download careFiji app and keep device bluetooth activated at all times.
● Take a Rapid Diagnostic Test at least after 48 hours of being in Fiji.
● Follow all the COVID safe protocols and procedures.

Preparations are well underway for Fiji’s borders to reopen and for international travel to resume with Fiji Airways, Qantas and Virgin all announcing direct flights from Australia to Fiji.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Indeed, there has never been a more opportune time to take advantage of the numerous business opportunities in Fiji.

Fiji sits in the heart of the Pacific, with strong shipping and air connectivity coupled with modern ICT infrastructure, makes Fiji a logical choice for doing business.

We have set the stage. We are providing the best incentives and business environment. What we need is this “Vuvale” partnership to come into action. We need Australian businesses and investors to see Fiji as their first choice for doing business. And we stand ready to facilitate and ensure that you will have a smooth transition into Fiji commerce.

With these few words I would like to thank you for the opportunity and look forward to discussing enhanced levels of cooperation with you all.

Vinaka Vakalevu and thank you.

ADVISORY: FIJI REMOVES REMAINING COVID-19 RELATED BORDER HEALTH MEASURES – INCLUDING PROOF OF VACCINATION

14 February 2023: Effective today, 14 February 2023, international travellers to Fiji will no longer be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and travel insurance.
This move comes following careful consideration of the global and national COVID-19 situation by the COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Taskforce (CRMT) and applies to both arrivals from air and sea.
Previously, all travellers 16 years and above were required to produce proof of full vaccination and travel insurance covering COVID-19.
As reported by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), Fiji’s hospitalisation is low, owed to our community-wide immunisation and in-country surveillance capacity. Notably, the focus remains on implementing COVID safe measures around those vulnerable to the severe effects of COVID-19.
The MHMS also reports 100 percent of Fiji’s estimated adult population have received one dose and 95 percent received the second dose. The vaccination of our target population has been progressing well with the 12 years and above coverage rate for Fiji being 99 percent for Dose 1 and 89 percent for Dose 2. Furthermore, as of the 8 February, 170,867 (54.6%) booster-eligible individuals have so far received their 3rd dose while 29,208 individuals have been administered the 4th dose.
Therefore, consistent with the experience in other countries with high vaccination rates, Fiji will no longer have any COVID-19 related border health measures.
Fiji’s Border Authorities will continue to review border health measures and maintain community surveillance for early warning of future threats while fostering socio-economic recovery.
Fiji’s economic recovery continues on the back of a strong tourism rebound. In 2022, visitor arrivals to Fiji reached 71.1 percent of 2019 levels (636,312) with a strong forecast for the first quarter of 2022.
Ends.

FIJI E-PASSPORTS LAUNCHED IN AUSTRALIA

The launch of the new e-passport enrolment kit at Fiji’s Consulate General and Trade Commission Office in Sydney on Friday was part of the Fijian Government’s overall vision of improving passport issuance and also strengthening border security.

You can see full coverage of the event here.