Fiji and Queensland Strengthen Economic, Skills and Investment Cooperation

Melbourne, Australia | 11 June 2026 – The Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka, today held a constructive bilateral meeting with Queensland’s Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Hon Rosslyn Bates MP, focusing on deepening economic cooperation, skills development, labour mobility, and investment linkages between Fiji and Queensland.

Minister Ditoka acknowledged Queensland’s strong economic position within Australia and the growing Fiji–Queensland relationship, underpinned by shared people-to-people ties, a significant Fijian diaspora, and expanding cooperation across trade, tourism, education, and labour mobility.
He highlighted recent developments, including the inaugural Fiji Airways Nadi–Gold Coast service, as a milestone that will further strengthen connectivity and economic exchange.

Discussions on skills and labour mobility centred on Queensland’s Right Skills Strategy 2025–2028 and Fiji’s ongoing efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education and training. Minister Ditoka noted the importance of aligning workforce development initiatives to meet shared labour market needs, including through enhanced training partnerships, skills recognition, and mobility pathways.

Both sides acknowledged the contribution of Fijian workers under the PALM scheme and explored opportunities to further support skills development cooperation, particularly in areas linked to infrastructure development, the upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympics, and emerging critical skills shortages.
On trade and investment, Minister Ditoka reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to improving the investment climate and strengthening trade facilitation systems.

He identified priority sectors for increased Queensland investment, including renewable energy, tourism infrastructure, agribusiness, fisheries, logistics, and ICT-enabled services. Minister Bates expressed Queensland’s interest in expanding economic engagement with Fiji and confirmed plans for an upcoming trade mission later in the year, while also noting Queensland’s readiness to support efforts to address trade facilitation challenges, including through improved port and systems efficiency.

The meeting also explored opportunities in renewable energy and the circular economy. Fiji shared its interest in investment proposals in these areas and welcomed Queensland’s experience in assessing and structuring such projects. Both sides agreed on the value of continued dialogue to ensure sustainable, bankable, and environmentally sound investment outcomes.

Minister Bates also highlighted Queensland’s fuel security and renewable energy transition agenda and offered to share experiences and explore areas of technical cooperation with Fiji in support of energy resilience.

Minister Ditoka welcomed the breadth of engagement and reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Queensland as a practical and forward-looking economic relationship that delivers tangible benefits in trade, investment, skills, and sustainable development.
The two Ministers agreed to maintain close engagement and continue advancing identified areas of cooperation through relevant technical agencies and future high-level exchanges.