More than 80 participants from government agencies and private sector met in Suva today for the validation workshop to finalise the Fijian National Trade Policy Framework.
While speaking at the opening of the workshop, Ministry of Industry and Trade permanent secretary, Shaheen Ali said the policy needs to be consistent with current government objectives and priorities, and to the needs of other key stakeholders to take Fiji forward.
Mr Ali said aim of the validation workshop is to consolidate the results and finalise the framework, which will unlock a wealth of opportunities for ordinary Fijians through enhancing Fiji’s trade and investment, promoting growth sectors and creating jobs.
“The Trade Policy Framework will contribute to the fulfilment of the Fijian Government’s vision of a ‘Better Fiji for All’ – it will determine how to ‘connect all the dots’ and address our production capacity, supply-side constraints, linkages to markets, with the ultimate objective of enhancing Fiji’s position in global trade,” Mr Ali said.
The framework capitalises on positive reforms and growth achieved in the past few years by providing a long-term plan that will ensure the continuation of coordination and consistency of policies that improve the general business environment and enables trade.
“We have had five consecutive years of upward growth, with every year the growth level reaching a new high. This year the forecast is for a very healthy 3.8 per cent.
“As we go through this final validation process, I want to re-emphasise the underlying motivation for developing the Trade Policy Framework, which is to position Fiji into an internationally competitive economy serving as the Hub of the Pacific.”
The Trade Policy will be premised on solid guiding principles, which serve as the foundation for the development of key and other emerging sectors of the economy.
“The purpose of the Framework is to ensure continuation of coordinated and consistent approach in our national development agenda, to better maximize development gains, by enhancing Fijian industries, investment, exports of goods and services, as well as advance Fiji’s interest in international trade negotiations.
“The Trade Policy Framework will continue to guide Fiji on this transformation path. Opportunities for growth exist in areas such as; tourism, transport, information technology, food and non-food manufacturing, financial services and mining, amongst others.
“In order to take full advantage of these opportunities to contribute to the overall vision, the Framework will recommend strategies to maximise benefits from these sectors in order to successfully achieve our vision,” Mr Ali highlighted
The Fijian Trade Policy Framework will also take into account the realities of Fiji’s trade capacity, constraints and resources needed to meet the demands and realities of the international trade environment.
The Trade Policy Framework will be launched at the end of next month.
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