Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, during his visit to the Garden Island of Fiji, Taveuni, outlined the Coalition Government’s ambitious digital initiatives to streamline business processes, cut down bureaucracy, and foster a more investor-friendly environment.
Deliberating on the Coalition Government’s commitment to improving the quality of the business environment in Fiji, the Deputy Prime Minister mentioned several initiatives, including steps being taken targeting improvements in public services to foster business growth and also highlighted steps being taken to streamline processes and support entrepreneurs.
Acknowledging that the ‘ease of doing business’ has been a long-standing challenge for Fiji, the Minister nonetheless expressed confidence in the Coalition Government’s serious approach to addressing these hurdles.
Moreover, the DPM said the recent automation of key business services has allowed entrepreneurs to register companies and obtain clearances entirely online.
“These developments have made it easy to start a business in Fiji as it allows for monitoring online, thus eliminating the cumbersome process of paperwork and in-person visits,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
DPM Kamikamica expressed understanding of the frustrations that many developers experience with the current building permit approval process, describing it as a “nightmare.” A lot of investors and businesspeople find themselves facing significant delays and overwhelmed by paperwork just to secure the necessary permits to move forward. “The upcoming project to automate building permit approvals aims to alleviate these challenges. In enabling agencies to access and review documents digitally, this new system seeks to simplify and speed up the approval process, providing much-needed relief to developers.”
“These initiatives aim to identify and implement changes that will reduce administrative burdens encountered by both businesses and individuals, ultimately streamlining processes and improving efficiency.”
“The ongoing effort to challenge outdated processes is a reflection of the Coalition Government’s commitment to creating a more efficient and business-friendly environment in Fiji,” concludes the Deputy Prime Minister.
DPM Kamikamica is confident that improving this service could have a noteworthy impact, potentially adding half a percent to Fiji’s GDP by fostering greater economic activity.