The Attorney-General and Minister for Industry and Trade, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the Fijian delegation met the President of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan, to discuss strengthening trade and investment relations between Fiji and India.
The Attorney-General said that these initial discussions with the CII President have generated concrete proposals that will create increased opportunities for Fijians.
“Following our meeting, the CII has agreed not only to pursue business, investment and trade opportunities in Fiji but also using Fiji as a hub, to pursue opportunities with the rest of the Pacific Island countries," he said.
"To generate interest and awareness, the CII has also agreed to run a seminar on Fiji in New Delhi in colloboration with Ministry of Industry and Trade, facilitated through our High Commission here in India. Key agencies such as Investment Fiji, FRCA, FCEF and FCCI are to be part of this Seminar,” the Attorney-General said.
The Attorney-General stated that the CII has also agreed to undertake a trade and investment mission to Fiji, comprising of high-level representatives from the private sector, after hosting a private sector delegation from Fiji to India.
“These seminars and trade and investment missions will lay the foundation for increasing our international trade. It is about developing new markets for Fijian made products and services, in particular our niche products in a market such as India; identifying investment opportunities for Indian businesses in Fiji; and, giving Fijian businesses and consumers alternative sources of imported goods,” added the Minister.
The Confederation of Indian Industries is the longest running industry association in India, established in 1895, and has a membership of more than 7100 members, from both the private and public sectors, including SMEs. It has an indirect membership of more than 90,000 enterprises from around 257 national and regional bodies.
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