By RACHNA LAL and RANOBA BAOA
Investment Fiji recorded yet another successful quarter performance in the first quarter this year.
Investment Fiji chief executive, Ravuni Uluilakeba, at a press conference yesterday highlighted that Foreign Direct Investments registered in the country grew by 100 per cent.
A total of 41 registrations were received with anticipated value of $351million which is over 80 per cent increase when compared for corresponding 2012 period.
“These 41 projects propose to create employment for 1461 people which is a 25 per cent increase from 2012,” Mr Uluilakeba said.
Mr Uluilakeba said in terms of sector-wise foreign direct investment, services was highest followed by hotel, manufacturing and then tourism.
“You may ask why tourism has fallen to number four because normally it takes three to four quarters for it to come in. So you’re looking at third or fourth quarter,” he said.
“Hence over the last four to five year, tourism has been number one.
“When you look at country-wise Australia, New Zealand and China have been the top three and India and US in the top five.”
Online payment gateway
Meanwhile, Mr Uluilakeba revealed work is nearly complete on On-line Payments Gateway (IPG) for application, registration, monitoring and payment of foreign investment applications on-line.
“This will enable Investment Fiji to further enhance the service we provide to investors,” he said.
More trade missions
Looking at the success of the recent Fiji-PNG Trade Mission, Mr Uluilakeba said they are also working towards conducting similar missions.
“The mission has stamped Fiji’s serious interest in encouraging investment not only from PNG but also from the rest of the South Pacific Island countries,” he said.
Future plans
Future plans for Investment Fiji includes the launch of the 2013 Prime Minister’s Exporter of the Year Awards, Investment Awareness Seminar and new overseas Trade and Investment Missions.