The Fijian Association of Canada is calling for a more transparent and investor-friendly environment, to encourage Fijian nationals living abroad, to invest in their home country.

The Association’s President, Sam Basra, and Fiji’s first billionaire in Canada, Jeff Lal, emphasized the importance of understanding the investment landscape in Fiji.

President of the Fijian Association of Canada Sam Basra says they are here to make some suggestions to trade and investment opportunities.

“Being a Fijian, born in Fiji, our heart is still in Fiji, and we (Fiji Association of Canada) are trying our best to make a difference”, Basra said.

“There are over 170,000 Fijians in Canada. We are urging the government to start looking at Canada. We want to help Fiji in the medical sector, in kidney dialysis etc”, he added.

Supporting the call, Jeff Lal, Fiji’s first billionaire in Canada, says he is concerned about policy consistency, including government stability.

“We’re here to make some suggestions as prominent businessmen in Canada. We call Fiji our motherland, and this country has given my family all the opportunities that we had. With everything currently happening in Fiji, I think we need some guidelines and input of delegates, like me, to establish a business relationship”, Lal said.

“We ask if Fiji is stable enough for investors. We urge communities, to tell us how safe is Fiji. The issue of drugs makes the headline every single day. Why need these issues to be addressed to bring more investors like us to the country”, he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica says the Fijian diaspora plays a critical role in the island’s economy.

“Engaging with our diaspora fosters a sense of belonging for Fiji encouraging them to return home, retire and even start business here. I’m pleased to inform that there are a few doing that as we speak”, he said.

“The two gentlemen here are quite well healed gentlemen from Canada and have made for themselves, and they are here as an outcome of our North American that we both conducted in May this year. Both from Ba”, he added.

The Association aims to leverage the expertise and resources of Fijians abroad to boost the Fiji’s economic prospects.