The 29th Australia-Fiji Business Forum is set to take place from October 22 to 24, 2025, at the Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel, where business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts will converge for an intensive three-day event focused on strategic discussions around trade, investment, and economic transformation.
Queensland’s Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Roslyn (Ros) Bates, will deliver the opening address, officially launching the forum. Day Two promises to be particularly engaging, with welcome remarks from Australia Fiji Business Council President Zane Yoshida, followed by keynote addresses from representatives of both the Australian Government and Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica.
A comprehensive Macroeconomic and Financial Briefing will feature insights from Fiji’s Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, alongside Westpac’s Pacific Economist, Justin Smirk. Delegates will also delve into sessions such as Supporting Growth of Fijian Businesses, where insights will be shared by Saud Minam from the Asian Development Bank and Kelera Cavuilati of the Market Development Facility.
The forum will address Fiji’s evolving investment landscape in the Investment Promotion and Outcomes session, highlighting perspectives from Investment Fiji CEO Kamal Chetty and other key speakers. A focal point will be the Business Process Outsourcing session led by Josefa Wivou of Outsource Fiji, who will present a case study from Lisa Apted, Managing Partner at KPMG Fiji.
Further discussions will shed light on Growing Fiji’s Agricultural Exports, with contributions from Agriculture Minister Tomasi Tunabuna and representatives from the Australian Office of Drug Control.
On Day Three, the Infrastructure Opportunities session will facilitate dialogues between leaders from Fiji’s Ministry of Public Works, Water Authority, and other vital agencies, showcasing the potential for building a more sustainable Fiji. Supporting Bilateral Trade and Investment sessions will feature input from Trade and Investment Queensland’s Leata Alaimoana, Austrade Suva’s Tim Houghton, and Tim Martin of Pacific Trade Invest Australia.
Translating to real-world benefits, the Digitalisation of Fiji session will welcome representatives from key tech entities such as Google Fiji and cybersecurity organization ID Care. A forward-looking discussion on Green Climate Funding Opportunities will be anchored by Professor Paul Dargusch from Monash Business School’s Pacific Action for Climate Transitions.
The forum will wrap up with insightful remarks from Himen Chandra, President of the Fiji Australia Business Council, as participants reflect on the collaborative efforts aimed at bolstering regional cooperation and innovative business strategies.
This high-impact event reflects the ongoing commitment and evolving partnership between Australia and Fiji in navigating challenges and creating new economic opportunities, reinforcing the belief that through dialogue and collaboration, the economic landscape for both nations can flourish.