NEWSLETTER th 28 FEB 2014 ISSUE #1 IN THIS ISSUE Exporter Awards Mission to New Caledonia Investment Trends Trade Pasi ka Single Window Clearance for Investors HIGHLIGHTS 2013 Vodafone & Westpac Prime Minister s Exporter of the Year Awards UPCOMING EVENTS Trade Pasi ka 2014 Mission to New Caledonia Message from the Chief Executive Officer Investment On behalf of the Investment Fiji Board Directors, we acknowledge the support from the Bainimarama Government that enabled Investment Fiji to carry out its role and functions. Our Sincere appreciation is also extended to the private sector and investors for their confidence and support during the past years. Investment Fiji continued to strengthen its role in the facilitation of projects through case based approach with the objective to expedite approvals of projects from the Tier 1 and Tier 2 approving Government Agencies. A total of 257 Projects were registered in 2013 versus 130 projects registered for 2012 with a proposed investment level of $1190m compared to 703m for 2012 and a proposed employment of 4,664 with 3,460 in year 2012. The 2013 calendar saw a busy schedule with its promotional role and a number of incoming missions and delegations coming from the USA, China, India, Abu Dhabi, Australia, New Zealand and Korea with interests in the various business sectors being promoted by the Government. Investment Fiji also participated in two outbound missions to PNG and China. Investment Fiji in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Trade facilitated a successful two day Trade and Investment Mission to Papua New Guinea in April, 2013. The Mission was led by the Prime Minister of Fiji Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama which included Government and Private Sector Representatives. The Mission entailed a one day Trade and Investment Seminar on the 17th of April which saw over 200 participants and One on One Meetings on the 18th of April. An exhibition displaying some of Fiji s finest export products was held concurrently to the two day event. The Mission was executed jointly with the Prime Minister s State visit and the Fiji Delegation was treated to a welcome dinner at the PNG Parliament House on Monday 15th April, 2013. The business meeting housed more than 70 business representatives from Papua New Guinea. The one day event focused on building networks and establishing business relationships between Fiji and PNG private sector stakeholders. Investment Fiji in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Trade participated at the 2nd China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development & Cooperation Forum. The Forum was held in Guangzhou, China from the 7-11 November. The Forum was hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People s Republic of China. The China International Green Innovative Products & Technologies Show 2013 was held simultaneously with the Forum. The Fiji contingent of exhibitors was allocated by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and Foreign Affairs with four booths which allowed as many products from Fiji to be displayed. This Forum gave Fiji the opportunity to raise critical trade related concerns with the Government of People s Republic of China. This opportunity was provided during the Bilateral meeting on 7th November, followed by the Ministerial Meeting on the afternoon of 8th November. Fiji s participation to the Forum aimed to promote and strengthen political and economic relations between Fiji and China. Fiji had the opportunity to solidify South to South Cooperation and create growth through trade and investment opportunities. The Board is confident that 2014 will be another year of accomplishments and is optimistic that with the support of Government and the private sector, Investment Fiji will continue to be a dynamic force in the creation of economic wealth in Fiji.
2013 VODAFONE & WESTPAC PRIME MINISTER S EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS 2013 Announcements Investment MAIN AWARD WINNER - Rosie Travel Group - GENERAL AWARD CATEGORIES 2013 Bank of Baroda Small Exporter of the Year Award - Neelesh Kamal Company - 2013 Life Insurance Corporation of India Medium - Ram Sami & Sons (Fiji) Ltd - 2013 Home Finance Company Large - Biscuit Company of Fiji Ltd - SECTOR BASED AWARD CATEGORIES 2013 Reserve Bank of Fiji Agriculture - Ben s Trading Limited - 2013 Hangton Pacific Company Ltd Fisheries - Walt Smith International - (Fiji) Ltd 2013 Golden Manufacturers Ltd Manufacturing Exporter of the Year Award - Douglas Pharmaceuticals - (Fiji) Ltd 2013 Tropik Wood Industries Ltd Forestry - Dayals Sawmillers Limited - 2013 Telecom (Fiji) Ltd Information Communications Technology (ICT) Services Award - ANZ Paci c Operations - Limited SPECIAL AWARD CATEGORIES 2013 Technix Pacific Ltd Emerging - Manasa Export - 2013 Bank South Pacific (BSP) Import Substitution Award - P.A.Lal Coachwork Ltd - RECOGNITION AWARD For their outstanding contribution towards Fiji s economy: 1. Pure Fiji Export Limited 2. United Apparel (Fiji) Ltd 3. Standard Concrete Industries 4. Sustainable Mahogany Industries Ltd In the year 2013 Investment Fiji registered a total of 257 foreign projects versus 130 for 2012 with a proposed investment value of $1190.8 million versus $703.54 million for 2012 at an employment proposal of 4664 versus 3460 for 2012. In 2013 a total of $535.15 million worth of foreign direct investment was captured as both investment and re-investment. The breakdown of total investment was that a total number of 74 projects were implemented with a value of $193.85 million with an employment creation of 2,312 was captured and a total of 22 projects who are in developing stages have invested $125.5 million. In addition a total of 40 existing projects re-invested $215.78 million. The total implementation value was 176% greater than the achievement of the same period last year. 2013 Vodafone & Westpac Prime Minister s s Expanding Beyond the Horizons of Fiji This prestigious event has been in existence since the last twenty one years and is one of the longest running award events in Fiji. The support from the Fiji Government in encouraging exports has been the cornerstone for trade progression in the country and an event of such a magnitude is celebrated to recognize the BISCUIT COMPANY OF FIJI LTD HFC Large Exporter Winner efforts of our exporters and appreciate their contribution to enhancing Fiji s economy. Fiji has widened its markets and continues to brand Fiji in the international market. The theme for this year rightly sums up their efforts of Expanding beyond the horizons of Fiji. Winning an award tags you as a market leader and aids in export performance. The call for applications will open in June as Investment Fiji anticipates launching the event with a blast in mid of June this year. Investment Fiji has now began preparations towards hosting the 2014 Prime Minister s Exporter Awards. 2014 will mark 22 years of export excellence. We take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors for the tremendous support provided. Rosie Travel Group scoops the 2013 Prime Minister s Exporter Award Nadi-based Rosie Travel Group has won the 2013 Vodafone and Westpac Prime Minister s Exporter of the Year Award. ROSIE TRAVEL GROUP Main Award Winner With more than 40-years of experience, the group owns subsidiaries spanning the tourism industry and employs about 300 people.
2014 Key Events The 2014 Prime Minister s s will again be held in November. Exporters will be informed on the progress of the Event. BE PART OF THE PRIME MINISTER S DELEGATION TO NEW CALEDONIA Register your interest now with Investment Fiji or the Ministry of Industry and Trade The Awards will be launched in around June. Investment Fiji plans to include a new category award, Young Entrepreneur Award with the support from the Ministry of Youth & Sports. The following Award Categories will be up for grabs in 2014; Prime Minister s Exporter Award General Category Awards: Small Exporter, Medium Exporter, Large Exporter Sector Based Awards: Agriculture Exporter, Fisheries Exporter, Manufacturing Exporter, Forestry Exporter and ICT Services Award Special Award Categories: Emerging Exporter and Import Substitution Award. Mission to New Caledonia The Ministry of Industry and Trade in collaboration with Investment Fiji is organizing a Trade and Investment Mission to New Caledonia, which will be led by the Fijian Prime Minister, Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama. The Mission is proposed to be held in April 2014. The EOI from Private Sector is currently being sought who would be interested to be part of the Mission. New Caledonia offers opportunities for business and partnership in the manufacturing sector, food sector, textile, clothing and footwear sector, bottled water, fisheries and forestry sector, paper products, mining and many others. The Trade and Investment Mission will underscore the vast potential and opportunities that exists in Fiji and will enable Fijian businesses to create strategic links with their counterparts in New Caledonia. At the same time, the Mission will promote Fijian-made and Fijian-grown products in New Caledonia. The Mission will include a trade exhibition, which will showcase Fijian products and services. A trade and investment seminar will also be convened that will enable the sharing of key trade and investment related information between the two countries. The Seminar will be followed by one-on-one meetings with potential partners for exports and joint venture projects. In order to be part of the delegation for the Trade and Investment Mission, written expressions of interest are invited from the business community, specifying the business activity and the areas of interest in New Caledonia, so that meetings and activities are arranged with relevant counterparts. Registration forms are available online at www.mit.gov.fj or www.investmentfiji.org.fj Please feel free to contact Ms. Shanaaz Nisha on email: shanaaz@investmentfiji.org.fj for any further information in regards to the mission.
Investor Trends 5000 4500 4664 4000 3500 3460 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 257 130 133 No. of Investment Proposals Registered 1189.89 703.54 466.05 Value of Investment Proposals ($million) 2901 Expected Employment 2013 2012 2011 Trade Pasifika 2014 Trade Pasifika will be held from the 2nd - 4th of April at the Vodafone Arena in Suva. Trade Pasifika 2014 offers an opportunity to grow and develop trade leads, meet and network with Pacific Island businesses to create long-lasting relationships. Trade Pasifika 2014 will feature the best of the pacific markets; distinctively portraying each country s export potential, investment opportunities; and key features as a tourism destination. It is an opportunity to meet suppliers and producers of highly valued Pacific Products, destined for niche markets. As an added feature TP2014 will also distinctly feature Pacific Women Entrepreneurs. Trade Pasifika 2014 will showcase Pacific Agriculture, Aquaculture as well as Tourism products from 17 Pacific Island Countries. Trade Pasifika 2014 will have a more determined focus of securing a larger number of buyers, either regionally of internationally with special attention given to Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Middle East. Single Window Clearance for Investors
Investment Fiji is currently focusing on creating efficiency in registration of foreign and local investment projects in Fiji through the creation of the single window clearance application. CONTACT INFORMATION POSTAL P O Box 2303, Government Buildings, Suva, Fiji. PHONE (+679) 3315 988 FAX (+679) 3301 783 EMAIL info@investment ji. org.fj WEBSITE www.investment ji. org.fj This on-line system has two phases; namely for Tier 1 and Tier 2 which includes 27 Government agencies. The first phase will involve the Tier 1 agencies which include the Registrar of Companies, Investment Fiji, Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority, Reserve Bank of Fiji and Department of Immigration. This phase of the project should be ready before end of 2013. The on-line system would enable multiple service delivery for investors for both registration and payments of approvals and is the key to the single window clearance this will enable the creation of a universal form which includes the amalgamation of all Tier 1 agency requirements. The second phase is currently on going which will be sector based where investors will be able to ascertain all the key requirements from the Tier 2 agencies and apply on-line for approvals/permits and certificates. The introduction of the on-line single window clearance will be able to cater for investors throughout the world and in Fiji helping to improve the ease of doing business in Fiji. Key Government Approving Agencies for your reference: Registrar of Companies www.egov.gov.fj Fiji Revenue & Customs Authority www.frca.org.fj Reserve Bank of Fiji www.reservebank.gov.fj Immigration Department www.immigration.gov.fj