Fiji’s embassy in Seoul, Korea has recently hosted a successful Trade, Investment and Tourism promotional event to open up more business opportunities for Korean investors in Fiji.
The event, which was aimed at promoting investments and Fijian-made products as well as Fiji as a Tourist destination for Koreans, was organized in conjunction with Fiji- Korea Friendship Association and included potential businessmen and major tourism organizations in Korea.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador for Fiji’s Embassy in Seoul, H.E. Peniana Lalabalavu emphasised on the importance of the promotional event as a platform to strengthen the Fiji-Korea bilateral relations.
“The purpose of this promotion event is to introduce Fiji to the Korean business community as well as the vast opportunities that Fiji can offer through trade, investment and tourism. Fiji, as you are aware is an island country in the friendly South Pacific. Fiji is renowned for its beautiful beaches and pristine environment and attracts more than 800,000 tourists each year from various corners of the world. Fiji is the hub of the Pacific, offers wide prospects for business in various sectors and a sound export base, which is widely supported by the Fijian Government through incentives and tax relief measures for investors,” Ambassador Lalabalavu said.
On display at the event were Fijian made products such as virgin coconut oil, Noni, Fiji Sugar, Fiji water, Pure Fiji, canned tuna, sweet biscuits and traditional artifacts including Tanoa miniatures , woven bags and hand fans.
As a result of this successful event, the embassy is working closely with the Association and other agencies in the country to facilitate an investment tour by potential investors and businessman to Fiji by November this year.
The Mission is in the process of consolidating data profile on the investors who have showed interest to explore business opportunities in Fiji and will work further with Investment Fiji on finalizing these opportunities.
The Chairman of the Korea-Fiji Friendship Association- General (retired)- Myoung-Koo Lee while expressing his appreciation to the Embassy for hosting the promotional event said Korean businessmen are looking to Fiji as a potential country to do business.
He also informed the Embassy that some of the potential investors would like to travel with him to Fiji later this year to conduct feasibility and due diligence with the relevant agencies and government departments that are involved with their line of business.
Distinguished guests who attended the promotion program included Congressman Mr. Joong-ro Kim from the Korea National Assembly, and the Deputy Director General of Asia-Pacific Region of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Lee Sang-ryol who both gave congratulatory remarks.
The Deputy Director General said that the event was in line with Korea’s effort to promote Trade and Tourism in the Pacific region. He further highlighted that the Korean Government through the ROK-PICs cooperation has expanded its assistance to the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to include promoting Trade and Tourism and that the new program was launched in March this year.
He also commended the Fiji Embassy for the hard work in enhancing people to people exchange by drawing the interests of Korean investors and tourists through such an important event.
Based on the success of the recent event, the Embassy is planning a similar promotional event to be held in the Southern city of Busan in October which would also include the Fiji Mission’s celebration of Fiji’s Independence Day.