Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama today visited the Fijian Trade Commission in San Francisco where he was welcomed by Fiji’s newly-appointed Trade Commissioner to North America, Mr Alika Cooper.
The Prime Minister was updated on the development and progress plans of the North America Trade Office which is the gateway for USA and Canadian businesses into Fiji.
Prime Minister Bainimarama, in a meeting, congratulated Mr Cooper on his appointment and said that Fiji’s North America Trade Office is a crucial part of the story of Fiji’s sustained recovery and its progress.
Fiji’s farmers and agricultural exporters look to this office to connect them to USA importers, our entrepreneurs also look to this office to connect them to opportunities across North America.
Fijians also look to this office to connect them to new business ideas.
Prime Minister’s message to the USA investors was "Fiji is open for business".
"The most important aspect of our deepening and expanding relationship with the U.S and North America will be trade," he said.
"The USA Government is firmly committed to supporting US businesses to expand and deepen their links with Fiji."
"Fiji is one of the only Pacific island states that has been invited by the USA Government to join the new economic partnership agreement. This Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for prosperity (IPEF) is historic opportunity for Fiji to create a foundation for shared prosperity."
Prime Minister Bainimarama reminded the community that Fiji is a powerful brand.
"The brand Fiji is a smart, green and highly sustainable brand and it punches way above its weight in each product or service line."
The Prime Minister added that Fiji’s North America Trade Office is the first port of call to those looking to connect with Brand Fiji.
"The office will promote Fiji to the world."
Mr Cooper said as a unique investment destination for key growth sectors, "we envisage to continue supporting existing and new exporters through the Fijian Made – Buy Fijian Brand campaign”.
Recognised for its vibrant tourism industry and growing outsourcing services, the Trade Commission aims to increase Fiji’s capacity in these areas.
“Kava and Turmeric remain Fiji’s largest agriculture export products to the U.S market and the Trade Commission aims to identify opportunities for growth in tangent with Fiji’s National Branding initiative – and the Fijian Grown emblem”, said Mr Cooper.