Investment Fiji Chair jenny Seeto addressing the Business Forum.
Jenny Seeto, Chairwoman of Investment Fiji, highlighted key concerns raised by investors, particularly regarding delays in governmental responses and the challenges posed by Fiji’s infrastructure deficiencies. Speaking at the 28th Fiji Australia/Australia Fiji Business Forum in Suva, Seeto identified that lodging applications and receiving timely approvals from various government agencies remains a significant hurdle for investors seeking to contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Seeto noted that many of these challenges stem from inefficiencies within the system, particularly in obtaining necessary approvals for land leases and construction. Investors face difficulties when dealing with agencies such as the iTaukei Land Trust Board and the Lands Department, where processes can be prolonged. These bureaucratic bottlenecks, Seeto observed, discourage potential investments and hinder the overall business environment. Immigration procedures, particularly regarding the issuance of permits, are another area that has drawn criticism from investors due to delays in response times. Seeto expressed optimism that the upcoming implementation of an online document management system by the immigration department would address these issues and significantly reduce delays in processing.
Despite these challenges, Seeto was hopeful about the government’s recent steps toward digitisation, particularly the introduction of the Business Now portal. This digital platform is expected to streamline business processes, making it easier for investors and government staff to track the progress of applications and approvals. Such initiatives, she said, are crucial in improving the overall efficiency of Fiji’s investment framework.
During her presentation, Seeto referenced a World Bank report, which outlined that in order for Fiji to achieve 5 per cent growth in its GDP, private sector investments would need to increase from 15.5 per cent to 18 per cent of GDP. This translates to an additional investment of FJD 400-500 million annually. Seeto was confident that this target was achievable, provided the private sector and government collaborate effectively to ensure that bureaucratic machinery operates more efficiently. She called for the continued commitment of both sectors to work together to drive investment and economic growth.
Seeto also took the opportunity to commend the Ministry of Environment for its recent efforts in addressing response time issues. Previously, the Ministry had been one of the departments most criticised for delays in application processing, but since the appointment of a new Permanent Secretary, there has been notable improvement. Seeto praised the ministry’s progress in clearing a backlog of applications, a development that reflects the kind of administrative efficiency needed across all sectors to facilitate smoother investment processes.
Through her insights, Seeto provided a comprehensive overview of both the existing challenges within Fiji’s investment landscape and the potential solutions that are being rolled out to address these obstacles. With a focus on improving infrastructure, digitising business processes, and fostering collaboration between the private sector and government, Seeto remains optimistic that Fiji can create a more investor-friendly environment moving forward.
