Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shaheen Ali, on Monday delivered a strong call to action for a resilient and interconnected Pacific economy in his address at the Forum Island Countries and Japan Regional Investment Seminar in Suva.
Representing Fiji’s deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica, Ali highlighted the potential of Pacific-Japan partnerships to drive regional growth, diversify economies, and address critical social challenges.
“Our presence here together today reflects our commitment to a common goal: achieving sustainable growth through enduring partnerships with Japan,” he told attendees for the two-day seminar.
Ali highlighted the significance of the event in strengthening relations between Forum Island Countries (FICs) and Japan.
With Japan a key player in the Pacific region’s economic landscape, Ali called the partnership with Japan “a cornerstone of our development” and a relationship built on “mutual respect and collaboration.”
He acknowledged Japan’s consistent support for Fiji’s growth, from trade to technical assistance, and highllighted the importance of deepening these ties for long-term regional resilience.
“Japan’s role as one of Fiji’s key trading partners has greatly contributed to our economic growth. And we look forward to building on this foundation to foster innovative opportunities and stronger, diversified economies across the Pacific,” he said.
Highlighting Fiji’s recent induction into the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), Ali noted that Fiji’s participation in this economic alliance places the Pacific on the global economic map. As the only FIC in IPEF, a bloc representing 40 percent of the world’s GDP, Fiji aims to represent the interests of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
“Fiji may be the only Forum Island Country in this framework, but it speaks for the region and all Small Island Developing States,” Ali said, reiterating Fiji’s commitment to strengthening Pacific voices on the international stage.
Ali also focused on Fiji’s economic diversification efforts, pointing out the nation’s shift from reliance on tourism and sugar to renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and digital innovation.
“While tourism and sugar have been pillars of Fiji’s economy, our government is committed to expanding into high-potential sectors,” he said.
Ali explained that fostering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has become central to this mission. “Through targeted training, accelerators, and the Access to MSME Funding Bill, we are creating a support system for the backbone of our economy,” he added.
Fiji’s recent ‘Ease of Doing Business’ project exemplifies these efforts. The initiative, which digitised the “Starting a Business” process and is expanding to streamline building permit approvals, aims to make Fiji a business-friendly destination by providing transparency and simplifying regulatory processes.
Ali emphasised that digital innovation is critical for Fiji’s long-term goals.
“Through our National Digital Strategy, we aim to transform Fiji into a digital economy that fosters entrepreneurship and economic diversification,” he said, envisioning a business landscape primed for resilience and adaptability.
The Pacific-Japan Regional Investment Seminar also served as a platform to showcase Japan’s support for Pacific Island development, particularly through two key projects.
One of these, the “Economic Recovery in Pacific Island Countries” initiative, is instrumental in supporting MSMEs to integrate into both local and global value chains.
Ali noted that this project, slated to conclude in November, has been critical for post-pandemic recovery.
“This support enables MSMEs to create livelihoods for individuals, families, and entire communities,” he remarked, citing specific examples of MSMEs that have benefited from the initiative.
“The seeds of a resilient and prosperous Pacific are already growing, from a rural eco-tourism venture in Fiji to a cocoa start-up in the Solomon Islands.”
Ali also spoke about the second Japan-led project, “Promoting Business Development by Solving Social Issues,” which addresses the Pacific’s most urgent needs in healthcare, education, and energy.
Ali expressed optimism about the potential of this project to transform essential services through technology and innovation.
“With Japan’s technological expertise, rural communities gain access to telemedicine, and clean energy solutions reduce reliance on imported fuels while creating jobs,” he explained. These projects, he added, directly align with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, a framework focusing on sustainable development through trade, investment, and innovation.
Ali didn’t shy away from discussing the Pacific’s vulnerability to climate change.
He stressed that building resilience is not just an economic necessity but a survival imperative for Small Island Developing States.
“Being Small Island Developing States, we are unfortunately more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and projects like these build our resilience,” he said, acknowledging that strategic investments and Japan’s ongoing support are essential to address these challenges.
In closing, Ali urged attendees to see the seminar as a catalyst for action and innovation, not just discussion.
“This seminar is more than a platform for discussion—it is a call to action. Let us use this opportunity to forge new partnerships, foster innovation, and lay the groundwork for a resilient, interconnected future,” he said.
Ali higlighted that the alliances and decisions made at the seminar could shape the Pacific’s future, encouraging both the private and public sectors to seize this moment for impactful transformation.
