Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Raijeli Taga receives courtesy call from the Chinese Ambassador to Fiji
22/02/2025Published On: 22/02/2025
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Japan, together with the Embassy of the Republic of Fiji in Japan, conducted an Activity Report and Networking event at the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo on Wednesday, 12 February 2025. The event marked the conclusion of a two-year collaboration under the Government of Japan’s initiative to promote trade and investment opportunities aimed at addressing social issues in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs). It was attended by 40 senior METI officials, members of the PIC diplomatic corp, trade-affiliated agencies, and business sector representatives.
This business networking event is a result of the Government of Japan’s ongoing commitment to creating economic opportunities for the PICs following the Japan-Pacific Island Countries Economic Forum held alongside the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting (PALM10) on 17 July 2024. It also continued the business matching event at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) on 29 October 2024. The event, held in Suva, Fiji, showcased business opportunities from 12 Japanese companies to representatives from the PICs, highlighting Japanese startups and flagship projects in Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa.
Fiji Embassy Tokyo Chargé d’Affaires ai Ms. Kelera Savu acknowledged METI’s collaboration on behalf of the Government of Japan, emphasizing the significant contributions these opportunities bring, particularly regarding Japan’s commitment to expanding its trade and investment relationships in the Pacific region.
Mr. Ariff Ali, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, who was a guest at the occasion, also acknowledged the Government of Japan’s contributions to Fiji’s socio-economic development and progress in vital sectors through Government-to-Government cooperation and public-private partnership investments. He emphasized that Fiji’s foreign exchange earnings are a direct result of such collaboration.
Mr Yasuji Komiyama, Director-General for Trade Policy and Economic Cooperation, METI, in his remarks, emphasized the geopolitical importance of the Pacific, which remains a key focus of the Japanese government’s efforts in the PICs. He also highlighted the necessity of improving infrastructure sectors, particularly utilizing funding available under Japan’s Global South Cooperation initiative.
During the presentation session, the 12 Japanese companies summarized their business concepts aimed at addressing social issues relevant to the development of the PICs. These concepts included advancements in wastewater treatment and sewage purification, tourism, renewable energy and power grid stabilization, agricultural and fisheries data technology, disaster management, seawater desalination and water purification systems, wind power generation, and effective recycling methods.
The event concluded with a successful networking session among the guests and representatives from the Pacific Island Countries Ambassadorial Group (PICAG). Key agencies involved in this project included the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Pacific Islands Centre, and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). The Activity Report and Networking event is the final phase of this initiative. The upcoming fiscal year plans for the Pacific Island Countries from METI were also presented.
