Fiji and Tonga have reaffirmed their close economic and cultural ties at the opening of the 2025 Fiji-Tonga Business Forum, with a strong call for deeper collaboration to boost bilateral trade, investment, and innovation.
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica, formally opened the Forum, calling it a milestone in Pacific economic diplomacy. Organised by Investment Fiji in partnership with the Tongan government, the Forum brings together businesses from both countries to explore new commercial opportunities.
Mr Kamikamica highlighted the deep historical connection between the two nations, especially through the people of Lau in eastern Fiji, and noted that this kinship has laid the foundation for a growing trade relationship. Fiji’s exports to Tonga reached over FJ$161 million in 2024, making Tonga its largest export market in the Pacific. The goal now, he said, is to increase Fiji’s share of Tonga’s total imports from 27% to 35% by 2027, equivalent to an export value of FJ$215 million.
Key sectors identified for growth include food products, manufacturing, ICT, tourism, and renewable energy. Fiji already supplies Tonga with a wide range of goods, including sugar, flour, canned food and noodles, and Mr Kamikamica pointed to untapped potential in areas like beverages, plastics, paints, and technical services. Fijian ICT firms and renewable energy providers, such as Paradise Technologies, are also looking to expand their footprint in Tonga.
He also underlined the importance of connectivity in the digital era, recalling Fiji’s support in providing emergency internet services to Tonga during the 2022 undersea cable outage. With Fiji’s emerging role as a regional ICT hub and the rollout of national e-commerce and digital strategies, there is potential for stronger digital and business integration between the countries.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised the need to support MSMEs and cooperatives, calling them the backbone of Pacific economies. He noted that Fiji is finalising a new MSME Strategic Plan and urged collaboration between Fijian and Tongan small businesses to overcome shared challenges such as access to finance and markets.
Mr Kamikamica also welcomed discussions on opening a Tongan High Commission in Suva, which he said would strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.
“The Pacific is at a crossroads,” he concluded, “but with innovation, resilience, and partnership, Fiji and Tonga can lead the way in shaping a dynamic and inclusive Blue Pacific economy.”
