Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has officially appointed Esrom Immanuel as the new Minister for Finance, Commerce, and Business Development, effective today, November 3, 2025. This significant appointment merges the key functions that were previously distributed across several ministries, namely Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, and Trade.
In this revised ministerial structure, the Ministry of Finance will now function independently, while responsibilities related to Strategic Planning, National Development, and Statistics will remain under the Office of the Prime Minister. Notably, functions concerning external trade will be transitioned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meanwhile, the newly formed Ministry of Commerce and Business Development will encompass duties related to cooperatives, investment, micro, small and medium enterprises, domestic trade, national trade measurement and standards, as well as business development initiatives.
Additionally, communications responsibilities have been shifted to the Ministry of Policing, under the leadership of Ioane Naivalurua, who takes on the dual role of Minister for Policing and Communications. To ensure a smooth transition during this restructuring, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister is tasked with coordinating efforts with the Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Finance, Trade, Policing, and Foreign Affairs, in addition to the Public Service Commission, to address staffing and budgetary adjustments.
Prime Minister Rabuka articulated that these changes are part of the government’s continuous effort to boost efficiency, enhance service delivery, and align ministerial functions with the development priorities of Fiji. By consolidating key responsibilities within the government, Rabuka’s administration appears committed to not only improving governance but also preparing the government to effectively face the economic and social challenges ahead during its final term. As the new ministerial structure takes effect, there is an optimistic outlook for enhanced governance that could positively impact the citizens of Fiji and restore public trust in the government.