Government of the Republic of Fiji
Government of the Republic of Fiji
12/03/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/03/2024 15:50
OPENING REMARKS BY DEPUTY PM AND MINISTER FOR TRADE, CO-OPERATIVES, SMES AND COMMUNICATIONS HON...
Mr Dirk Wagener, United Nations Resident Coordinator to Fiji,
Mr Andrew Shepherd, Counsellor, Australian High Commission,
Mr Rahul Bhatnagar, E-commerce Expert and UNCTAD Consultant,
Senior officials,
Private sector and Development partners,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
It is with great pleasure and anticipation that I welcome you all to the National E-commerce Strategy Validation Workshop.
Today marks an important milestone in our collective journey towards harnessing the transformative power of digital trade to propel Fiji's economic growth and development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In a globalised and increasingly digital world, E-commerce offers Fiji the opportunity to expand market reach beyond geographical boundaries, tapping into regional and international markets. It provides a platform for entrepreneurs to start and scale up their businesses.
I am particularly encouraged by the potential of E-commerce to empower our youth and women entrepreneurs, thereby enriching the socioeconomic fabric of our societies.
By integrating E-commerce capabilities across key sectors and value chains of agriculture, tourism, crafts, manufacturing -- we aim to diversify our economy, foster MSME development, and enhance export competitiveness.
Fiji is also blessed with a plethora of high-potential services sectors, such as the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector. This sector has showcased remarkable growth, becoming a beacon of what is achievable when we harness digital platforms effectively.
Hence, the Digital Economy is not a distant future - it is the present. Ecommerce represents a transformative force capable of propelling Fiji towards greater economic diversification, enhancing our export competitiveness, and opening up new avenues for MSMEs.
In this regard, our Ministry is undertaking to put in place a broader National Digital Strategy for moving Fiji rapidly toward a Digital Economy. This will provide a framework for initiatives like E-commerce to progress. This broader vision is critical for any strategy to succeed.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we navigate through the vast opportunities presented by the digital age, we are also confronted with significant challenges. Access to viable internet payment gateways has emerged as a primary barrier to Ecommerce for our MSMEs, directly impacting their ability to engage in the digital economy and reach customers beyond our shores. Trust development in E-commerce is another critical area requiring urgent attention. Building confidence among consumers and businesses in online transactions is fundamental to the growth and sustainability of Ecommerce in Fiji.
These challenges underscore the need for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to harness the full potential of E-commerce. It is here that the significance of a National E-commerce Strategy becomes evident. An E-commerce strategy offers us a roadmap to navigate the complexities of the digital economy, addressing specific challenges and barriers that hinder the adoption and growth of E-commerce in Fiji.
The draft Strategy that will be presented to you today provides us with a blueprint to navigate this journey. It has been developed with the key stakeholders in Fiji and is therefore reflective of our unique context, aspirations, and priorities.
Ultimately, we aim to harness the collective wisdom and resources of all stakeholders - government, private sector, civil society, and international partners - to create an enabling environment for E-commerce to flourish.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, as we gather to validate the draft of the Fiji National E-commerce Strategy, we embark on a journey towards realising our vision of leveraging E-commerce as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth.
This Strategy aligns with our broader national development priorities of resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity, and ensuring that no one is left behind in our digital transformation efforts.
I am encouraged to see such a strong turnout for this Workshop. This tells me that our stakeholders are motivated to proactively pursue Ecommerce as a vehicle for opportunities and growth.
I extend my sincere gratitude to the UNCTAD team, and to all the donor partners for their invaluable support in shaping the trajectory of our Ecommerce landscape.
I also take this opportunity to thank the UN for the technical assistance and support they have provided the Ministry in various other areas. We look forward to the continued support.
With these words, I wish you fruitful deliberations over the two days.
Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you.
Mr Andrew Shepherd, Counsellor, Australian High Commission,
Mr Rahul Bhatnagar, E-commerce Expert and UNCTAD Consultant,
Senior officials,
Private sector and Development partners,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
It is with great pleasure and anticipation that I welcome you all to the National E-commerce Strategy Validation Workshop.
Today marks an important milestone in our collective journey towards harnessing the transformative power of digital trade to propel Fiji's economic growth and development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In a globalised and increasingly digital world, E-commerce offers Fiji the opportunity to expand market reach beyond geographical boundaries, tapping into regional and international markets. It provides a platform for entrepreneurs to start and scale up their businesses.
I am particularly encouraged by the potential of E-commerce to empower our youth and women entrepreneurs, thereby enriching the socioeconomic fabric of our societies.
By integrating E-commerce capabilities across key sectors and value chains of agriculture, tourism, crafts, manufacturing -- we aim to diversify our economy, foster MSME development, and enhance export competitiveness.
Fiji is also blessed with a plethora of high-potential services sectors, such as the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector. This sector has showcased remarkable growth, becoming a beacon of what is achievable when we harness digital platforms effectively.
Hence, the Digital Economy is not a distant future - it is the present. Ecommerce represents a transformative force capable of propelling Fiji towards greater economic diversification, enhancing our export competitiveness, and opening up new avenues for MSMEs.
In this regard, our Ministry is undertaking to put in place a broader National Digital Strategy for moving Fiji rapidly toward a Digital Economy. This will provide a framework for initiatives like E-commerce to progress. This broader vision is critical for any strategy to succeed.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we navigate through the vast opportunities presented by the digital age, we are also confronted with significant challenges. Access to viable internet payment gateways has emerged as a primary barrier to Ecommerce for our MSMEs, directly impacting their ability to engage in the digital economy and reach customers beyond our shores. Trust development in E-commerce is another critical area requiring urgent attention. Building confidence among consumers and businesses in online transactions is fundamental to the growth and sustainability of Ecommerce in Fiji.
These challenges underscore the need for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to harness the full potential of E-commerce. It is here that the significance of a National E-commerce Strategy becomes evident. An E-commerce strategy offers us a roadmap to navigate the complexities of the digital economy, addressing specific challenges and barriers that hinder the adoption and growth of E-commerce in Fiji.
The draft Strategy that will be presented to you today provides us with a blueprint to navigate this journey. It has been developed with the key stakeholders in Fiji and is therefore reflective of our unique context, aspirations, and priorities.
Ultimately, we aim to harness the collective wisdom and resources of all stakeholders - government, private sector, civil society, and international partners - to create an enabling environment for E-commerce to flourish.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, as we gather to validate the draft of the Fiji National E-commerce Strategy, we embark on a journey towards realising our vision of leveraging E-commerce as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth.
This Strategy aligns with our broader national development priorities of resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity, and ensuring that no one is left behind in our digital transformation efforts.
I am encouraged to see such a strong turnout for this Workshop. This tells me that our stakeholders are motivated to proactively pursue Ecommerce as a vehicle for opportunities and growth.
I extend my sincere gratitude to the UNCTAD team, and to all the donor partners for their invaluable support in shaping the trajectory of our Ecommerce landscape.
I also take this opportunity to thank the UN for the technical assistance and support they have provided the Ministry in various other areas. We look forward to the continued support.
With these words, I wish you fruitful deliberations over the two days.
Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you.