Global India business forum presented honorary membership to H.E.Kamlesh S.Prakash, High Commissioner
and High Commission of the Republic of Fiji. We had a fruitful discussion to collaborate GIBF and Fiji
to explore different business opportunities and trade between two countries. Global President- GIBF Dr.
Jitendra Joshi and Director - Global Operations Deepali Gadkari attend the meeting.
Petroleum products, Sugar, Fish, Clothing, Mineral water, and Gold
Pottery excavated from Fijian towns shows that Fiji was settled before or around 3500–1000
BC, although the question of Pacific migration still lingers. It is believed that the Lapita
people or the ancestors of the Polynesians settled the islands first but not much is known
of what became of them after the Melanesians arrived; they may have had some influence on
the new culture, and archaeological evidence shows that they would have then moved on to
Tonga, Samoa and Hawaii. The first settlements in Fiji were started by voyaging traders and
settlers from the west about 3500 years ago. Lapita pottery shards have been found at
numerous excavations around the country. Aspects of Fijian culture are similar to Melanesian
culture to the western Pacific but have stronger connection to the older Polynesian cultures
such as those of Samoa and Tonga. Trade between these three nations long before European
contact is quite obvious with Canoes made from native Fijian trees found in Tonga and Tongan
words being part of the language of the Lau group of islands. Pots made in Fiji have been
found in Samoa and even the Marquesas Islands. Across 1000 kilometres from east to west,
Fiji has been a nation of many languages. Fijis history was one of settlement but also of
mobility. Over the centuries, a unique Fijian culture developed. Constant warfare and
cannibalism between warring tribes was quite rampant and very much part of everyday life.
Fijians today regard those times as "na gauna ni tevoro" (time of the devil). The ferocity
of the cannibal lifestyle deterred European sailors from going near Fijian waters, giving
Fiji the name Cannibal Isles, in turn Fiji was unknown to the rest of the outside world.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN FIJI
Fiji has a secure and reliable business environment that harnesses a multitude of investment
prospects and opportunities, specialising in manufacturing, garments/textile, fisheries, forestry,
agro-processing, flori-culture, tourism, mining and information technology. These fields are
utilised by many international investors, including notable figures Lang Walker of Walker
Corporation and Tony Robbins.
Logistically, Fiji has easy and
dependable access to efficient global communications and transportation routes. Both in shipping and
air travel, Fijis business environment ensures secure and viable transport which is maintained by
bodies such as the Department of Civil Aviation. Fiji also operates with state of the art
telecommunication infrastructure that provides secure links through fibre optic cable connections
and satellites to connect to the rest of the world in advanced and effective methods. Furthermore,
Fiji utilises well-developed infrastructure and possesses a very high standard for electricity,
water supply, international airports and wharfs. This is accompanied by progressive health and
medical facilities, with a modern private hospital and medical centres.
Business-wise, Fiji also
maintains a very high standard. With well-developed banking and financial institutions, such as
Westpac, Bank South Pacific and Reserve Bank of Fiji, the stability of an effective financial system
and the regulation of a sound financial structure is consistently upheld. Fiji has the institutions
available to provide full financial
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS IN FIJI
Exporting refers to the selling of goods and services from the home country to a foreign
nation. Whereas, importing refers to the purchase of foreign products and bringing them
into ones home country
TOP EXPORTS OF FIJI
Fiji mainly exports cane sugar, bottled water, fish, wood, gold, bread and manioc. Fijis
main exports partners are United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Tonga, Japan, New
Zealand, Vanuatu, Western Samoa and the Cook Islands.
TOP IMPORTS OF FIJI
An import is a good or service bought in one country that was produced in another.
Imports and exports are the components of international trade. If the value of a
countrys imports exceeds the value of its exports, the country has a negative balance of
trade, also known as a trade deficit.