〔Report〕Forum Island Countries & Japan Regional Investment Seminar was held

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) together with Pacific Islands Centre (PIC) held a two-day ‘ Forum Island Countries & Japan Regional Investment Seminar ‘ in Suva, the capital of Fiji on 28-29 October 2024.

The two-day investment seminar has covered two projects implemented by the Government of Japan in the Pacific, including the project on “Economic Recovery in Pacific Island Countries through the promotion of Trade, Investment and Tourism” and “Promoting Businesses Development by Solving Social Issues in Pacific Island Countries“.

Regarding the “Economic Recovery Project”, the Government of Japan provided grant of USD1.07million to stimulate trade, investment and tourism opportunities between Japan and the 16 Forum Island Countries. The project will conclude in November 2024. As articulated in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, Trade, Investment and Tourism are critical to long-term future. Trade, particularly, has the capacity to transform the lives of Pacific Islanders by creating livelihood opportunities and economic growth, but it is important that we progress in new and innovative ways in these areas, particularly in the context of post-Covid-19 recovery, and of course climate change.

The program for Day 1 and Day 2 was as follows.

Day 1-Monday 28 October 2024 Project on “Economic Recovery in Pacific Island Countries through the Promotion of Trade, Investment, and Tourism”
8.00 – 8.30am	Registration
9.00 – 9.05am	Welcome Remarks by the Acting PIF Secretary General, Ms. Desna Solofa
9.05 – 9.15am	Keynote Address by the Chief Guest, The Mr. Shaheen Ali, Permanent Secretary for Fiji Ministry of Trade, Co-Operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications
9.15 – 9.25am	Address by His Excellency Mr. Rokuichiro Michii, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Fiji
9.25 – 9.35am	Remarks by Mr. Yasuji Komiyama, Director-General for Trade Policy and Economic Cooperation, Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
9.35 – 9.45am	Picture session
9.45 – 10.00am	Morning Tea
10.00 – 11.45am	Session 1: Presentation by Qunie Corporation Presentation of the key outcomes from the trade and investment study and the business matching website
11.45 – 1.15pm	Session 2: Presentation by Japanese Investors facilitated by Pacific Islands Center (PIC) 5 Japanese investors to present on potential investment opportunities – KOMAIHALTEC, Inc. – Rex Holdings Pty Ltd. – SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation – WOTA Corp. – Narita Airport Business Co., Ltd.
1.15 – 2.30pm	Lunch
2.30 – 3.20pm	Session 3: Presentation by Investment Promotion Agencies of Cook Islands, FSM, Kiribati – Cook Islands: Ms. No’elle Turia, Senior Monitoring and Compliance and Investment Monitoring Officer, Business Trade and Investment Board – Federated States of Micronesia: Ms. Masako Johnnyboy, Programme Manager for Investment, Department of Resources and Development Mr. Christopher Sigrah, Programme Manager for Tourism, Department of Resources and Development – Kiribati: Mr. Waimauri Nawaia, Business Regulatory Specialist, Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives Ms. Tekiataake Ruka, Senior Foreign Investment Officer, Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives Ms. Aako Teikake, CEO, Airport Authority
3.20 – 3.35pm	Afternoon tea
3.35 – 4.45pm	Session 4: Presentation by Investment Promotion Agencies of Fiji, PNG and Solomon – Fiji: Ms. Musarat Ali, Head of Investment and Trade Promotion, Investment Fiji – Papua New Guinea: Mr. Daroa Peter, Director, Investment Promoting Authority – Solomon: Mr. Mark Ligo, Principal Investment Officer, Ministry of Culture and Tourism
4.45 – 7.00 pm	Welcome Cocktail (networking event)

DAY 2 – Tuesday 29 October 2024 Project on “Promoting Business Development to Solve Social Issues in Pacific Island Countries”
9.00 – 9.30am	Registration
9.30 – 9.35am	Welcome to day two and briefing by Mr. Ryo Tsuzukihashi, Director, Asia and Pacific Division, Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
9.35 – 9.40am	Welcome Remarks by Mr. Yasuji Komiyama, Director-General for Trade Policy and Economic Cooperation, Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
9.40 – 9.45am	Remarks by Forum Island Country Member: Mr. Clarence Hoot, Managing Director, Investment Promotion Authority, Papua New Guinea
9.45 – 10.20am	Presentation on Social Issues by Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea and Samoa – Fiji: Ms. Musarat Ali, Head of Investment and Trade Promotion, Investment Fiji – Palau: Ms. Cornelia R. Mason, Board Member and Acting Executive Director, Foreign Investment Board, Palau – PNG: Mr. Daroa Peter, Director, Investment Promotion Authority, Papua New Guinea Mr. Tomson Honga, Manager, Strategic Planning and Business Development, Water PNG, Papua New Guinea – Samoa: Ms. Jacinta Matulino, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Samoa
10.20 – 10.35am	Morning Tea
10.35 – 12.40pm	Presentations by 12 Japanese companies on feasible technologies to solve social issues presented by PIC governments ArkEdge Space Inc. → FUSO Corporation → UMITRON K.K. → Froxtix Co., Ltd. → Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. → Nippon Basic Co., Ltd. → Kanadevia Corporation → Saka no Tochu Co., Ltd. → Sora Technology Co., Ltd. → Akabira Orchid Corp. → Challengergy Inc. → WESCO Inc.
12.40 – 1.00pm	6 MoU announcement ceremony
1.00 – 1.15pm	Group Photo
1.15 – 2.15pm	Lunch
2.15 – 5.00pm	Individual Meetings between FIC governments/IPAs and Japanese investors

PIC NEWS