The Department of Tourism (DoT) participated in the Japan-Pacific Islands Regional Investment Seminar, held from October 28-29, 2024, in Suva, Fiji. This seminar was supported by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat and is part of a Japan-backed initiative titled “Economic Recovery through the Promotion of Trade, Investment, and Tourism in Forum Island Countries.”
The $1.07 million project aims to bolster post-COVID-19 economic recovery by enhancing trade, attracting investment, and revitalizing tourism between Forum Island Countries and Japan.
The seminar aligns with the aspirations outlined by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in the Resource and Economic Development thematic area of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific.
Key objectives of the project include promoting tourism and exports from Forum Island Countries to Japan, increasing Japanese investments, boosting exports, and establishing an online platform to connect stakeholders from both regions.
Over the two-day seminar, representatives from Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Samoa, and others engaged in discussions about investment priorities and opportunities in five key sectors: Tourism, Renewable Energy, Agriculture (including food processing), Fisheries, and Livestock.
Seventeen Japanese companies from these sectors presented their business profiles, seeking to connect with Pacific Island governments and private stakeholders with investment-ready projects.
The event served as a vital networking opportunity, linking government officials with international investment firms.