Esrom Yosef Immanuel has been officially sworn in as Fiji’s Minister for Finance, Commerce, and Business Development in a ceremony officiated by Acting President Justice Salesi Temo at Government House. Immanuel, who previously served as the Assistant Minister for Finance, assumes this key role following the resignation of Professor Biman Prasad, who had held the portfolio since the coalition government took office in December 2022.
The transition to Immanuel’s leadership comes at a time when Fiji’s investment landscape is showing positive signs. According to the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s October 2025 Economic Review, business confidence has been strengthening, leading to an uptick in construction activities, which saw a 12 percent increase in total work value in the year leading to the second quarter. This growth is attributed to higher levels of both public and private sector projects, coinciding with a fall in building material prices by 3.2 percent during the September quarter.
The Reserve Bank emphasized that the burgeoning construction and business investment intentions indicate a strengthening confidence in Fiji’s economic trajectory. Furthermore, construction-related imports have risen by 5.1 percent, highlighting a growing demand for machinery and building materials. However, new investment lending has seen a decline of 5 percent, primarily driven by reduced credit in the real estate and building sectors.
Despite these challenges, the central bank noted that financial conditions remain favorable, with broad money supply expanding by 10.9 percent in September, supported by an increase in private sector credit. This positive outlook suggests that investment activity in Fiji is poised to remain robust in the upcoming months as confidence continues to build.
As Immanuel takes on this vital role in government, his leadership is expected to steer Fiji towards a more favorable economic environment, fostering further development and potentially improving governance and public service delivery. His appointment is seen as part of the government’s broader strategy to streamline operations and enhance efficiency in economic management, thereby promoting an optimistic outlook for Fiji’s economic future.