The Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau (FTIB) was first formed as a statutory organisation by the Economic Development Board (EDB) Act No. 11 of 1980 to promote, stimulate and facilitate economic development. Section 5 of the Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau Act specifies that FTIB is to promote exports, investment and advise Government on economic policies that will lead to the expansion of investment in Fiji. To meet its aims, the FTIB:
- organises investment seminars and promotional missions
- promotes Fiji products by organising trade trips to potential markets
- coordinates Fiji's participation at overseas trade fairs
- organises local trade shows and overseas missions
- promotes Government's Export Promotion Incentive scheme
- publishes booklets featuring trade and investment opportunities and incentive schemes
- identifies and prepares profiles of projects in key development sectors
- provides advice and guidance on investment policies
- identifies local and overseas partners for joint businesses
- provides information to investors about capital costs, wages, labour regulations and land funding
- monitors and provides assistance to companies
- promotes the Tax Free Factory and Tax Free Zone facilities and incentive schemes.
The FTIB was created in recognition of Fiji's need to generate more investment activities, create more employment opportunities and to assist in fulfilling national development objectives. The FTIB is the first point of contact for those wishing to establish a business in Fiji. It provides assistance on procedures to follow for applications for work permits, tax concessions and approval of companies to operate in Fiji.
Latest News on Trade/Investments
2000-2001 September 17-19, 2000 Hospitality Show - New Zealand October 22-24, 2000 Investment Mission to Australia October 6 and 11, 2000 Local Investment Seminar-Economic Rehabilitation Package October 22-24, 2000 Australia Fiji-Fiji Australia Business Council Annual Joint Meeting - Queensland, Australia December 2, 2000 Exporter of the Year AwardsJudges Deliberation Address by Prime Minister 2001 Promotional Mission to Australia, NZ, USA
LATEST NEWS ON TRADE AND INVESTMENTS This chapter is the latest addition to FTIB website. The main aim is to keep you updated on the latest developments relating to the Trade and Investment environment in Fiji. We will bring to you information on the latest investments carried out in the country and other policy related information affecting Trade and Investments in Fiji. While this page covers the most recent developments, other pages of this website contain detailed information on Investing in Fiji, Incentives available, Profiles of Industries having the comparative advantage, Trading Information and much more. Please browse through and discover the oppotunities that Fiji Islands provide !
24 January 2001-CDE Assists Village Project 23 January 2001-Marketing Plan to attract investment in IT enabled services industries 2 December 2000-Address at the Exporter of the Year Awards 2 December 2000-Judges Deliberation on the 2000 Exporter of the Year Awards 22 November 2000-Ammendments to Investment Incentive Package 11 October 2000-Local Investment Seminar. 5 November 2000-Reserve Bank Foreign Reserves 11 October 2000-Local Investment Seminar. 31 August 2000-2000 FTIB Exporter of the Year Awards Launched 25 August 2000-Deadline for Application for FIA Certificate from Existing Companies 20 July 2000-Companies Express Interest in Investing in Fiji 7 July 2000-Lift Suspension on Incentives for Tax Free Industries 2 June 2000-Investors Adopt a "Wait-and-See" Attitude 24 May 2000-Pacific Green Ltd 22 May 2000-Reserve Bank of Fiji Regulates Foreign Exchange
24 January 2001-The Centre for the Development of Enterprises Assists Village Project
The Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau has successfully liaised with the CDE to assist in projects benefiting local industry. The Centre for the Development of Enterprises in Brussels has contracted the services of a top designer, Ms Konstantine Fiorou, to work with local company Sandollars Fiji Ltd in order to develop a range of products using hand-made paper and local materials from sustainable resources. The thriving hand-made paper industry implemented by Sandollars in Wainimakutu Village, Naitasiri came to a complete standstill after the attempted coup in May 2000. Prior to the events of May, this new village project was doing so well that plans were under way to expand the project to another village.
CDE and Sandollars are hoping that when a new range of products is designed and successfully marketed, the people who depended on this reliable source of income will be able to recommence the production of hand-made paper. This is the type of project which interests CDE as it capacitates people to be financially independent by working in the village using sustainable resources. In addition to the extensive use of hand made paper in the packaging of its products, Sandollars uses a large amount of Vau, Voivoi, Magimagi, Masi and Dme Oil, which also provide employment at village level. Because Sandollars Fiji Ltd is an environmentally conscious company, they do not use products, such as shells, or any other items which could deplet our marine resources. Instead, they use cow bone, coconut shell or wood-off cuts which are then carved or left in a natural state after minimal treatment.
Sandollars Fiji Ltd employees are all young Fijian girls, and for some it is their first job. They work in an airconditioned environment which safeguards the product and make working conditions more comfortable. In addition, Sandollars provides a health-care programme, which pays for private medical care and the provision of folic acid, ferrous sulphate and vitamin tablets.
