Fiji is embracing digital transformation to enhance workplace safety and streamline business processes. The Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Workplace Relations is launching the BusinessNow Fiji platform, creating a more efficient system for occupational health and safety inspections and building permits. This move will enable employers to submit plans online, schedule inspections, and receive certificates electronically. By reducing paperwork and costs, the turnaround time for processing applications will significantly decrease, exemplifying Fiji’s dedication to modernizing its business environment.
High-risk workplaces will now be inspected annually, while low-risk businesses will face inspections every three years. The Ministry aims to double inspections from last year’s 3,287 to 6,000 this year, showcasing its commitment to improving workplace standards. The Building Permit Approval System is set to go online soon, facilitating digital submissions and enforcing safety standards more effectively.
These reforms are aligned with previous initiatives under the BusinessNow Fiji program, which has successfully streamlined processes across various sectors, such as starting a business and immigration approvals. Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica has supported these developments, highlighting their role in enhancing public trust and fostering economic growth. By integrating various agencies through a single platform, investors and entrepreneurs can conduct business more smoothly, improving operational efficiencies and promoting Fiji as an attractive destination for investment.
Minister Agni Deo Singh stressed the importance of these digital solutions to modernize legislation, drive economic growth, and improve the overall business climate. These efforts reflect a broader strategy aimed at transforming government services, with targets set to have 80% of core services available online by 2030, enhancing transparency, accountability, and accessibility in Fiji’s public sector.
This transformative shift represents a hopeful trajectory for Fiji’s economy by creating a more business-friendly environment. By fostering open communication and collaboration, Fiji is positioning itself as a competitive hub for both domestic and international investments, paving the way for sustainable development and a robust future economy.