Meet & Greet Business Networking held on 26th July 2023
NSW FIJI Business Council continuously creates networking opportunities, promotes Australia & Fiji based businesses, investors and other stakeholders to share knowledge and insights about trade and investment.
In attendance were Deputy Mayor of Ku-ring-gai Council – Barbara Ward, Coordinator Economic Development of Cumberland Council – Helder Guerreiro, Pacific Trade Invest Australia Trade Commissioner – Caleb Jarvis, Fiji Consulate General and Trade Commissioner to Australia & New Zealand – Daniel Stow, Trade Commissioner of Vanuatu – Steve Evans, Vice President of The Greater Cumberland Chamber of Commerce – Brian Laul, The President of the Australia Bangladesh Business Forum – Abdul K Ratan, Commercial Support executive of Fiji Airways – Sachin Sharma, Little India Harris Park Business Association President – Sanjay Deshwal, Australia and Fiji based business entrepreneurs, and NSWFBC Members.
NSW FIJI Business Council President Mohammed Shameem said “The Council is a bridge for people between the two countries, Fiji and Australia. Members have benefitted by establishing successful business leads in Fiji which have either converted into ongoing business relations or are currently in negotiations which are not far from finalisation. The council is often a starting point for businesses looking into entering the business arena in Fiji and wishing to contact the right people and agencies there. The Council is also a starting point for those wanting to establish a business or business contact here in NSW and nationwide.
Fiji Consulate General and Trade Commissioner to Australia & New Zealand Daniel Stow shared some economic outlook and budget update:
- 8.0% GDP growth in 2023 and 3.4% in 2024
- Reducing deficit level and putting debt to GDP ratio on a downward path whilst;
- ensuring adequate funding towards public service delivery, particularly across health, education, social welfare & critical infrastructure
- Increase in VAT & Corp tax rate
- Increase in excise duty for imported vehicles, alcohol, tobacco, confectionary & sugary drinks
- Duty decreases for chicken & lamb from reduced to 0%, and for beef and canned meat from 32% to 15%
He also mentioned that the Fiji government has introduced several major policy initiatives to enhance and facilitate inward investment from Australia. These initiatives aim to improve the ease of doing business and attract both foreign and domestic investors. One significant step was the elimination of the Foreign Investment Registration Certificates (FIRC). This move streamlined the investment process and made it more convenient for businesses in Fiji.