Mr Speaker, Sir,

I thank the Honourable Manoa Kamikamica for his statement, and I acknowledge the important work he initiated during his tenure.

The Commercial Agriculture and Aquaculture Taskforce, the smallholder engagement model, and the partnerships with Ona Coffee, Fiji Water and Aitken Spence helped set the early foundation for diversification — work we are now strengthening and expanding.

Mr Speaker, diversification is not optional. It is essential for Fiji’s resilience and long-term prosperity.

For much of the past decade, our economy has grown at around 3 percent. This maintains stability, but it does not build resilience. It leaves us exposed to cyclones, global shocks and climate-related disruptions. At this growth rate, every crisis has the potential to push us backwards.

Our National Development Strategy is clear: Fiji needs to lift growth toward 5 percent and above to reduce poverty, maintain and develop infrastructure and build a competitive modern economy. That requires new industries, deeper value addition, and broader participation.

Diversification is the path toward higher growth and stronger national security and resilience.

1. Consolidating the Gains from Early Initiatives

Mr Speaker, our diversification platform includes both emerging pilots and established success stories.

Emerging initiatives now developing their commercial base (as we heard) include: 

• ONA Coffee, demonstrating the capability of organised landowning groups to move into high-value, specialty crops.
• Fiji Water’s citrus and horticulture pilots, now showing technical and commercial promise with committed off-take.
• Aitken Spence’s diversification work, building structured commercial plans with landowners.
• Aquaculture pilots, progressing with clear potential once feed, logistics and extension are strengthened.

Alongside these, we have established, proven successes:

• Nama Fiji, a functioning natural-skincare value chain driven by rural women producers.
• Kava, one of Fiji’s strongest and most reliable natural-product exports.
• Turmeric and ginger processing, now supplying powders, oils, capsules and condiments to hotels, supermarkets, duty-free shops and export buyers.

These show what is already working — and where Fiji’s future growth can come from.

2. Strengthening Smallholders, Co-operatives and Rural Enterprises

 Smallholders remain central to diversification, but their success depends on the systems around them.

We are strengthening those systems through:

• the Co-operative Development Fund;
• practical capability-building at the Agribusiness Incubation Hub;
• the MSME Database, which allows for targeted support;
• and improved monitoring to ensure assistance results in real commercial gains. 

This shifts farmers from subsistence into structured, disciplined supply chains.

3. Agro-Processing and Value Addition

Agro-processing remains one of Fiji’s most realistic diversification pathways because raw materials already exist and demand is proven.

Our focus includes food and beverage processing, natural oils, herbal and wellness products, furniture, joinery and carpentry — including renewed opportunities in the mahogany sector — and greater value addition in fisheries and seafood, where smoked, dried, canned and portioned products can supply domestic hotels and export markets.

Through the Fijian Made programme and targeted MSME support, we are raising standards, improving packaging and strengthening compliance so products can consistently meet domestic and regional buyer expectations.

This is how Fiji captures more value at home.

4. Outsourcing and Digital Services — Moving Up the Value Chain

Mr Speaker, diversification must also capture the opportunities of talent and technology.

Our outsourcing and digital services sector is now one of Fiji’s fastest-growing industries. It:

• employs around 8,000 Fijians,
• generates approximately FJD 350 million in annual revenue,
• and contributes around FJD 200 million in foreign-exchange earnings.

These are measurable, confirmed contributions to the economy.

The next stage of growth is moving up the value chain. Fiji is increasingly delivering:

• finance and payroll services,
• HR and workforce management,
• data processing and analytics,
• digital content and online service support,
• IT-enabled functions, systems administration and technical support.

These areas rely on skill, not low cost — giving Fiji a durable competitive advantage.

Government continues to support Outsource Fiji, strengthening workforce skills, industry standards and global positioning.

This sector is expanding Fiji’s economic base and creating modern employment pathways for young people and women.

5. Emerging Industries — Clear Rules, Real Benefits

The Honourable Member initiated early policy work on medicinal cannabis, and we acknowledge that foundation. Our responsibility is to ensure emerging industries develop with credibility and produce real value.

Our approach remains grounded in:

• simple, predictable rules;
• investment partners with real technical expertise;
• transparent benefit-sharing for landowners;
• streamlined processes supported by the MSME Database.

We apply this disciplined approach to nutraceuticals, natural extracts, agro-innovation and rural enterprise development. New industries must strengthen Fiji’s economy — this is our standard.

6. The Structural Shift — Making Diversification Durable

Diversification is no longer project-based. It is becoming part of how Government works.

We are strengthening five interconnected systems:

• the Co-operatives Portal to modernise cooperative administration;
• capability-building through the Agribusiness Incubation Hub;
• MSME finance tools under the Access to Business Funding Act;
• market-readiness through the E-Commerce Strategy and buyer-linkage programmes;
• data and monitoring through the MSME Database.

These systems make diversification structured, consistent and long-term.

7. A Shared Commitment to a Broader Economic Base

Diversification requires unity across Government. The Honourable Member and I may now serve in different roles, but the objective remains the same:

• broaden Fiji’s economic base,
• expand participation across communities,
• and strengthen national resilience.

Diversification succeeds when agriculture, commerce, MSMEs, co-operatives, manufacturing, services and innovation move together.

8. Conclusion — A Clear Path to Higher Growth

Mr Speaker, diversification is how Fiji moves from a 3-percent growth path toward 5 percent and above, as required by our National Development Strategy. It is how we build resilience, expand opportunity and secure long-term prosperity.

 We are strengthening smallholders and co-operatives, scaling agro-processing, expanding outsourcing into higher-value services, developing new industries and embedding the systems that make growth durable.

This is diversification that is practical, credible and built for Fiji.

It is the work that will secure resilience, deepen participation and deliver a more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous future.

Vinaka vakalevu, Mr Speaker.