Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism, and Transport, Faiyaz Koya, held a bilateral meeting with the Australian Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Assistant Minister for Trade, Senator Tim Ayres, along the margins of the G20 Tourism Ministerial meeting in Bali, Indonesia.

Minister Koya acknowledged the strong rebound of Australian visitors to Fiji, who currently represent 56% of total arrivals to Fiji. He added that the recovery of tourism has put Fiji on the path to strong economic recovery.

The Ministers further shared the impacts of geopolitics — impacting the cost of travel, freight, and food — in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Koya also highlighted current global labour issues and the return of up-skilled workers from Australia to Fiji.

To support labour mobility, the Ministers discussed a possible strategic framework that will ensure that citizens build skills in more service sectors. Honourable Ayres added that the Australian Government is working effectively on Visa and Migration matters for Pacific nations.

The Ministers also spoke about mechanisms that could boost our growing trade and investments.

For decades, Fiji and Australia’s alliance has strengthened. The Ministers, therefore, reaffirmed mutual partnership in advancing recovery.