Japan seminar to attract more investors

Fiji’s Japan-based embassy hosted a Trade and Investment seminar in Tokyo in a bid to attract more investors to the country.

Reserve Bank of Fiji’s governor Barry Whiteside, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance Filimoni Waqabaca, Fiji’s Ambassador to Japan Isikeli Mataitoga and Ministry of Finance’s deputy secretary David Kolitagane made presentations during the seminar.

Ambassador Mataitoga said, “The seminar was a great success, judging from the large number of Japanese business people and senior Japanese Government officials who attended at short notice.”

Governor Whiteside outlined the core economic growth trends in Fiji since 2006 and discussed the Bainimarama Government’s priority areas of focus for economic growth.

This was followed by Waqabaca who emphasised seven benefits of investing or starting up a business in Fiji now. His presentation, built on the broad economic data presented earlier by Whiteside, showed positive trends in both fiscal and monetary policies management.   

Kolitagane covered the various tax incentives and related government assistance that are available to investors in Fiji by economic sectors and the tax free regions in Fiji.

Mataitoga facilitated a Q & A sessions which attracted lively exchanges from the participants. Fiji Embassy staff in Tokyo, will in the coming week or so follow up with participants requesting further one-to-one discussion on their proposals.

By Indrani Krishna