61,000 Fijians now live and work in Australia - Koya

Minister for Commerce, Trade and Tourism, Faiyaz Koya says over 3,000 Australian companies are doing business in Fiji and 61,000 Fijians are now living and working in Australia.

While speaking during the Fiji-Australia Business Council meeting, Koya says Fiji is also one of the top tourism destinations for Australians, with over 367,000 Australians visiting Fiji back in 2019 and they look forward to welcoming Aussies back to Fiji in December.

Koya says Australia remains one of Fiji’s largest trade and investment partners.

Australian investment in Fiji in 2019 is valued at approximately $2.07 billion, focusing on tourism, the financial sector and manufacturing. Koya says two-way goods and services trade has also been steadily increasing year-on-year, totaling $2.47 billion in 2019.

He says Australia is Fiji’s second largest export destination, accounting for 12.9% of all Fijian exports valued at over $280 million.

Koya says primary exports include gold and garments, but they have also seen an increased demand for Fijian agricultural and cosmetic products, with total exports increasing year-on-year.

The Minister for Commerce adds one can now see more Fijian products coming into the mainstream retail market in Australia.

He says Amazon Australia has a range of beauty and skincare products from brands such Loloma, Pure Fiji, Naturally Fiji and Nama Fiji and the local Cole’s supermarket or Chemist Warehouse has Fiji Kava’s range of sleep, mind and body supplements.

Koya also highlighted that Fiji and Australia share a strong and enduring relationship, demonstrated by the signing of the ‘Vuvale Partnership’ in 2019.