Business leaders from Fiji and Australia will gather in Suva later this month for a Forum designed to look beyond current market conditions and identify the opportunities shaping the next phase of the bilateral commercial relationship.
The 2026 Fiji-Australia Australia-Fiji Business Council Joint Business Forum, to be held at the Grand Pacific Hotel from 27 to 29 August, comes at a time when trade, investment and regional cooperation are assuming greater importance across the Pacific. Under the theme “Strategy for a Shifting Landscape”, the Forum will bring together senior executives, policymakers, investors and development partners to examine the trends that are reshaping business across the region.
The programme has been structured around issues with direct relevance to business. Proceedings will open with a Macro & Industrial Dialogue, bringing together the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Investment Fiji, senior government representatives and an economist to discuss Fiji’s economic outlook, industrial priorities and the investment environment. That will be followed by a Vuvale Union Strategic Briefing, organised by the Australian High Commission, providing delegates with an update on one of the cornerstone partnerships underpinning Australia-Fiji relations. A fireside discussion with multilateral development partners will then explore how international institutions are supporting economic development, infrastructure investment and private sector growth across the Pacific.
Attention then turns to the practical challenges facing businesses. A session on workforce trends, new business models and the power of standards will examine how companies are responding to changing labour markets, technological disruption and evolving business practices. This will be followed by Vuvale Voices: Advancing Trade and Investment Together, chaired by Pacific Trade Invest Trade Commissioner Tim Houghton, where trade commissioners will discuss emerging opportunities to strengthen commercial links between Australia, Fiji and the wider Pacific.
The final day looks firmly to the future. A strategic dialogue on energy transition in a time of fuel crisis will examine one of the Pacific’s most pressing economic issues as governments and businesses seek to improve energy security while accelerating investment in renewable technologies. Delegates will also explore opportunities arising from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, before concluding with a session on connectivity, destination branding and tourism, recognising the growing importance of aviation, digital connectivity and visitor experiences to regional economic growth.
The Forum’s value, however, extends well beyond the formal program. Networking events across the three days, including the opening dinner, business lunches and the Forum Gala Dinner, will provide opportunities for delegates to engage directly with senior decision-makers from government, business and development organisations.
Australia remains Fiji’s largest source of foreign investment and one of its most significant trading partners. As commercial engagement broadens into areas such as renewable energy, digital infrastructure, agribusiness, professional services and climate resilience, the Forum is expected to provide a timely platform for businesses to build partnerships, exchange ideas and identify new avenues for growth in one of the Pacific’s most important economic relationships.
Register: https://fabc.com.fj/event/2026-fiji-australia-australia-fiji-business-councils-joint-forum/
