The Coalition government of Fiji has launched the Starting a Business Subsystem (SABS) earlier this year, and reports show a significant uptick in E-service applications, hitting over 13,380, with approximately 10,930 processed successfully. This initiative is part of the broader Building Permits Approval Subsystem (BPAS), which aims to streamline the overall business environment in Fiji.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who also serves as Acting Minister for Trade, emphasized in Parliament the government’s dedication to enhancing the nation’s operational landscape through these digital initiatives. To ensure BPAS’s success, the government is prioritizing capacity building and change management while collaborating closely with relevant stakeholders for smooth operations.
As part of this effort, decentralized training sessions have taken place across Fiji, where officials from various agencies have received practical training to better understand the system and improve service delivery. The Prime Minister noted that most of the six proposed policy amendments for BPAS have already been approved, with the remaining changes to be discussed in the upcoming parliamentary session.
This digitization effort follows the successful implementation of the SABS, which has already resulted in faster processing times and higher user satisfaction. Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica highlighted that successful projects like the SABS lay the groundwork for further reforms, including the anticipated launch of the BPAS by October this year.
The government’s ongoing commitment to automating services is expected to lessen the bureaucratic burdens that have historically hampered business growth. This transformation not only aims to enhance the efficiency of service delivery but also showcases Fiji’s aspiration to become a more competitive business environment. By executing these digital reforms alongside prior initiatives, the government is paving the way for sustainable economic growth and stronger investment opportunities.