Fiji and Tonga have agreed to deepen trade and investment cooperation following high-level talks in Nuku’alofa.
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, met with Tonga’s Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon. Kapelieli Lanumata, to strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation between the two Pacific nations.
The ministers emphasised the importance of enhancing private sector collaboration, revisiting trade frameworks like the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), and exploring bilateral agreements that align with national interests and emerging economic opportunities.
Key areas identified for collaboration include tourism, aviation connectivity, foreign investment, and labour mobility. Both leaders agreed that improving transportation links and investing in infrastructure such as inland ports and tourism properties would unlock economic potential and boost investor confidence.
Regional trade and environmental priorities were also discussed, with Hon. Kamikamica encouraging Tonga to address overfishing and ensure sustainable fisheries development in the Pacific.
The meeting highlighted the commitment to coordinated regional efforts on global trade issues and highlighted the importance of practical cooperation between the countries’ private sectors and government institutions.
Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining open communication and working-level engagement to turn shared priorities into tangible results.
This meeting aligns with broader regional efforts to strengthen economic ties, as seen in the recent Pacific Trade Ministers’ meeting under the PACER Plus agreement, which focused on advancing trade, foreign investment, and economic cooperation among member nations.
