Fiji‑China relations have strengthened - Koya

Fiji‑China relations over the years have strengthened especially through trade and investment.

These were the words of Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Faiyaz Koya during the Inaugural Fiji-China Business Exchange Summit at GPH today.

Koya said the overwhelming response from the Chinese business community has shown a significant interest in investing and doing business with Fiji.

He said in 2015, 41 percent of total investment projects registered in Fiji were Chinese projects, while in the first 6 months of 2016, figures reveal that 45 percent of projects registered with Investment Fiji were from China.

Koya said this is a step in the right direction for advancing growth of trade and investment, which will ultimately benefit both countries.

Head of the Chinese Delegation, Chen Yushu said the Chinese delegates are looking for some opportunities to invest in Fiji on a long term basis.

He said they are mainly interested in tourism, real estate, bottled water and furniture making in Fiji.

Yushu said they want to start as early as next year based on policies and incentives of Fiji’s trade and investment terms.