PNG and Fiji business councils target trade growth

The Fiji-PNG Business Council and the newly established PNG-Fiji Business Council are working to strengthen trade and business partnerships between the two countries, with a focus on helping small and medium enterprises [SMEs] access new markets.

Chairlady of the Fiji-PNG Business Council, Laisa Digitake, said there were significant opportunities for Papua New Guinea businesses to increase exports to Fiji, particularly in coffee, vegetables, arts and crafts.

Digitake was in Papua New Guinea over the weekend, joining the Fijian community in Port Moresby to celebrate Fiji’s 56th Independence anniversary.

In an exclusive interview with NBC Online, she said trade figures for the 2025 financial year showed Fiji exported goods worth about K52 million to PNG, while PNG exported about K37 million worth of goods to Fiji.

This resulted in a trade imbalance of about K15 million in Fiji’s favour.

Digitake said both business councils wanted to help PNG businesses increase exports and reduce the trade gap.

“The export numbers in dollar terms from Fiji to Papua New Guinea for the last financial year, it was about K52 million, and from Papua New Guinea to Fiji, it was less. It was only 37 million kina,” she said.

She identified coffee as one of the products PNG businesses could supply to the Fijian market, supported by local demand and the country’s growing tourism industry.

“Fiji is such a big coffee consumer, and with our tourism industry that has exceeded more than a million visitors, coffee is a big thing,” she said.

Digitake also highlighted arts and crafts as another area where entrepreneurs from both countries could share skills, improve their products and reach more customers.

The Fiji-PNG Business Council was established several years ago and continues to promote trade and business partnerships between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the PNG-Fiji Business Council was launched recently to expand business connections and create more opportunities for local businesses.

Its inaugural president, Vele Rupa, said the immediate priority was to increase membership and bring together small businesses, established companies and corporate organisations.

“Our immediate priority now is to register as many businesses as we can. We want to make sure all SMEs and big businesses participate,” Rupa said.

Founder of the PNG-Fiji Business Council, Sir Mahesh Patel, said many PNG farmers produced quality goods but needed better market connections and support to export their products.

He said his company, City Pharmacy Limited, had supported farmers by buying their produce and selling it through Stop N Shop supermarkets.

“Now, through this council, we want to help them package their produce and export,” Sir Mahesh said.

He acknowledged that packaging, transportation and shipping remained challenges but said the council would work towards addressing them.

Tourism is another area where the two countries can cooperate.

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop said PNG could learn from Fiji’s experience in developing tourism products, attracting visitors and creating business opportunities.

“Fiji is doing a great job in tourism. PNG must learn more from Fiji in terms of how they package and sell their tourism products,” Parkop said.

The Fiji Week celebrations also provided opportunities for business leaders and community members to connect through meetings, trade and tourism exhibitions, cultural activities and community service.

Both councils aim to turn these connections into practical business partnerships that increase trade, expand market access and support economic growth in Papua New Guinea and Fiji.