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Fiji’s future under the guidance of the Voreqe Bainimarama-led government will take a path of economic liberalization, said Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Speaking to a 60-member delegation of entrepreneurs and government officials from China last week, Sayed-Khaiyum said the vision by Chinese leaders and their planning for the future has culminated into what the world sees today - an economic powerhouse.
“The Chinese leaders had the vision to think outside the box and make paradigm shifts without compromising China’s sovereignty and independence - a lesson for all,” he told the delegation, led by China’s Vice Minister for Commerce Jiang Zengwei.
“Bainimarama and his government also have a vision to make Fiji realize its true potential - a potential that can become a reality through building a strong nation state and a liberalized economy for the benefit of the people of Fiji.”
To achieve the aim of a liberated economy, Sayed-Khaiyum said the government will play the role of facilitator to enable the private sector to drive economic growth and he invited Chinese entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities that Fiji had to offer.
“We know that China has a lot to offer. She has the knowledge base, advancement in technology and trade expertise, amongst other things. Fiji I know is comparatively very small, but Fiji has a lot to offer, also,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“We offer opportunities - the opportunities to form partnerships with our business houses, our entrepreneurs; we offer a conducive investment environment, ranging from attractive tax incentives to a readily employable work force. Fiji also is in the hub of the South Pacific. We are strategically located to markets in Australia, New Zealand and those on the rim of the Pacific. Infrastructure wise, Fiji is the most developed amongst the Southern Pacific island nations. Most if not all the international and regional organizations are head quartered in Fiji.”
He said Fiji established diplomatic relations with China in 1975, the first Pacific island country to do so, and since then, bi-lateral relations have grown, not only through diplomacy, but also “through our growing ties in the areas of military training, trade, finance, infrastructure development and economic initiatives.”
