The Fiji Islands offers numerous investment opportunities in a wide range of sectors: tourism, manufacturing, garments/textile, fisheries, forestry, agro-processing, flori-culture, mining and services including information technology. The Fiji Government’s policy supports private sector led growth and have put in place attractive incentives to encourage and facilitate private sector investment in Fiji.

The Fiji Trade and Investment Bureau (FTIB) is the trade and investment promotion arm of the Fiji government and is responsible for stimulating, promoting and facilitating investment and trade in Fiji. For detailed information on investment opportunities, incentives, business registration and licenses, work permits, taxation, foreign exchange control, cost structure, etc, please visit the Fiji Trade and Investment Bureau website: www.ftib.org.fj

Most Frequently Asked Questions

1) Where do we go to get approvals from to set up a business in Fiji?

Ans: In order to set up a business in Fiji, foreign investors need to obtain a Foreign Investment Certificate (FIC) from the Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau (FTIB).

2) How do we get approvals to do business in Fiji?

Ans: Investors will need to complete the FTIB application form and submit it with a copy of their detail business proposal.

3) What requirements must I meet before I can qualify for an FIC?

Ans: Investors will need to meet the requirements listed under the Foreign Investment Act (FIA); namely the criteria under the reserved and restricted activities list.

4) How long does it take to evaluate and approve the proposal?

Ans: Under the FIA, if all the information is provided it should take no longer than 15 working days to give an answer.

5) How much should I invest to obtain an approval?

Ans: The investment level is dependent on the project. There is no minimum or maximum investment required by FTIB. However the Department of Immigration's policy requires any investor seeking a key post work permit to invest at least $50,000 before they will be considered.

6) As an investor am I entitled to any tax and duty incentives?

Ans: Yes, all investors are entitled to tax and duty incentives, provided they meet the requirements under the respective incentive package. A detail incentive information sheet is available on the site.

7) Is the Tax-Free Factory incentive still available?

Ans: Tax free factories (TFF) and tax free zones (TFZ) are no longer available to new companies that wish to establish a manufacturing plant for exports. However companies with the existing (TFF/TFZ) approvals will continue until the expiry of the approvals. There are similar attractive incentives available to companies, which manufacture for export. They include the duty suspension scheme (DSS) and tax deduction on export income.

8) Where do we go to obtain an export/import license?

Ans: Export and import licenses are only needed for import/export of meat, animal, plant, plant matter, chemicals, gold, explosives and certain other goods, which are dangerous in nature.

9) Can I get government protection if I was to relocate my business to Fiji?

Ans: Government policy is one of deregulation and as such we promote competition.

10) Can I set a Casino in Fiji?

Ans: The legislation in Fiji does not allow for casinos and other gaming facilities.

11) If I do not meet the requirements under the Foreign Investment Act (FIA), how can I get around the FIA to do the project?

Ans: The conditions in the FIA must be met, however if the investors are not happy with the decision, they are entitled to appeal to the Minister under Article 15 of the FIA.

12) Where do I go to get work permit(s) for my project?

Ans: The Department of Immigration is responsible for issuing of work permits. However for projects submitted to FTIB, investor(s) can request for their work permit(s) in their submission/ business proposal. The FTIB will make appropriate recommendation to the Department of Immigration. The Department of Immigration will consider the recommendation of FTIB before issuing the appropriate work permit(s).

13) How much does it cost to get a work permit?

Ans: Please refer to the Immigration Fiji website for the current fee schedule for Work Permits at www.immigration.gov.fj

14) How do we operate our business in Fiji?

Ans: Investors can operate their business through the following vehicles:

a) Sole Trader
b) Partnership
c) Limited Liability Company
d) Branch operation
e) Subsidiaries

15) When can I open a bank account in Fiji?

Ans: The investor can open his company's Fiji dollar bank account after obtaining an FIC from FTIB, approval from RBF and incorporating the company with the Office of the Registrar of Companies. For individual investor, they can open their personal Fiji dollar bank accounts only after obtaining their work permit.

16) Do I need a local partner to operate any business in Fiji?

Ans: No, it depends on the requirements of the FIA. A copy of the FIA is available . If the project falls under the reserved or restricted activity list than the respective requirement applies. Majority of the activities under the reserved Activities list is reserved for locals only. However in some reserved activities, foreign investors can participate in if they will invest no less than F$100,000 in fixed assets. In the restricted activity list, local participation will be required before the proposal can be considered by FTIB. The percentage of local participation is dependent on the industry.

17) Where can I be located?

Ans: You can be located in any town you prefer. However there are two main shipping ports, they are in Suva and Lautoka. The International airport is in Nadi. There are 5 types of land in Fiji, they are industrial, commercial, agricultural, residential and tourism. You must locate your business in the appropriate land classification to suite your business operation. The business license is issued from the town or city where your business is located after paying the appropriate fees.

18) What type of lands is available?

Ans: There are 3 types of land in Fiji, they are:
a) Freehold- Land can be bought out right.
b) Crown lease land- land is leased from Government
c) Native lease land- land is leased from indigenous land owners through Native Land Trust Board (NLTB)

19) Is there sufficient infrastructure in Fiji for me to conduct my business successfully?

Ans: Fiji is well serviced by telecommunication. Fiji is linked by optic fibre cable to Australia, New Zealand, USA and rest of the world. Mobile phones are also used extensively in Fiji. Fiji Electricity Authority provides power to most parts of Fiji, catering for residential properties, commercial, industrial and tourism industries. The Public works department provides piped water and sewerage facilities to the public.

20) Can I as an investor invest in a personal property?

Ans: Yes, investors can purchase personal property. However if the freehold property is larger than one acre than the Minister of land's approval must be sought first.

21) Can I as an investor obtain loans from commercial banks in Fiji?

Ans: Yes, investors can apply for loans from commercial banks in Fiji. The maximum loan is guided by the Reserve Bank of Fiji lending guideline.

22) Do I have to bring into the country the specified level of investment money straight away?

Ans: Upon approval of the project, the stipulated paid up equity must be transmitted to the investor's company Fiji dollar bank account.

23) What are the cost of utilities and labour in Fiji?

Ans: Details of cost of utilities (sea, air, roads, telecommunications, electricity, water) and labour are available on the website.

24) Are there regular shipping/air services to Fiji?

Ans: Fiji's strategic location in the South Pacific makes it a trading port, which is serviced by international shipping services. Details of the vessels visiting Fiji are available. Fiji's ports of entry provide Customs, Immigration and quarantine services. The international airport is based in Nadi and is equipped to handle all types of aircraft up to Boeing 747s. Nadi airport services Air Pacific, Qantas, Air New Zealand and Air Calin etc.