Caption: Dr. Satendra Prasad, World Bank; Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Hon. Faiyaz Siddi Koya; Fijian High Commissioner to India, H.E. Yogesh Karan; Attorney-General and Minister for Finance, Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.Photo:SUPPLIED.
The Hon. Attorney-General and Minister for Finance, Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the Fijian delegation met with executives and members of the India-Fiji Business Promotion Association, yesterday, 19 January 2015.
The Association was founded in 2014 and was launched by the Hon. Attorney-General during his bilateral visit to India last year in January.
“The India-Fiji Business Promotion Association was launched as an organisation to promote and facilitate trade and investment between the two countries” said the Attorney-General.
“Since its establishment last year, the Business Promotion Association has grown and is providing new links in improving the business and commercial relationship between Fiji and India” said the Attorney-General.
“The Fijian and Indian bilateral relations are at a new high after the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Fiji and his discussions with the Fijian Prime Minister Hon. JV Bainimarama and as a consequence there are now many opportunities available for both Fijian and Indian investors and commercial interests that could be explored” added Minister Sayed-Khaiyum.
Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum told the gathering that “there is a new wave of optimism in Fiji with the election of the FijiFirst Government led by Hon JV Bainimarama, which has a very healthy majority. This has led to enhanced stability and confidence. This has led to a number of international agencies and foreign investors and traders wanting to make inroads in Fiji. This is also the time for Indian commercial interest to take advantage of the new opportunities”.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum highlighted a number of key areas that have been streamlined or improved to facilitate opportunities between the two countries including the Double Taxation Avoid Agreement, attractive taxation regime, visa processing and exploration of better airline connectivity.
The Founding member of the Association, Mr. Monish Dhawan, stated that Fiji is an important, exciting and growing market for tourism, trade and investment destination for Indians. After one year of existence, the Business Promotion Association, is realizing and facilitating this potential and growth, said Mr Dhawan.
“Today we have over 65 companies who are members of the Business Promotion Association, and this number is set to increase. In the coming years this number will grow” added Mr. Dhawan.
The Fijian High Commissioner to India, H.E. Yogesh Karan, stated that the India-Fiji Business Promotion Association has provided the High Commission with support in terms of identifying and linking to potential and genuine investors, he thanked the Attorney General and the Fijian Government for providing the impetus for the Association’s success.