On April 24 (Monday), a launching ceremony was held at the PIFS headquarters for Pacific Island Countries Trade, Investment, and Tourism Promotion Project supported by the Japanese government, which was attended by PIC Director Saito.

Mr. Puna, Secretary General of PIFS, gave opening remarks, stating that this initiative is in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Next, Ambassador Kawakami of the Embassy of Japan in Fiji congratulated the guests, saying that this was one of the largest project cooperation (US$1.07 million) from the Japanese government to the PIF and that he hoped it would lead to stronger economic ties between Japan and the Pacific Island Countries.

Following this, Director Saito gave a speech titled “Challenges and Opportunities for Trade, Investment, and Tourism between Japan and Pacific Island Countries,” introducing Japanese companies’ efforts in renewable energy and agricultural and marine products processing businesses, and stating that a new era of mutually beneficial contributions between Japan and Pacific Island Countries in the economic field is dawning.