Fiji’s set for Seville

WHILE the other Pacific countries taking part in the World Exposition in Spain this year are having to justify their partici pation, Fiji is busily preparing.

Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Kiri bati and especially the Solomon Islands have to defend the thousands of dollars they are spending to attend Expo ’92 from April 20 October 12 thou sands of dollars many say will get little in return.

Fiji, however, has met with little opposition. Perhaps it is because of the excellent response it received from the 1988 exposition in Brisbane, where their pavilion received one of the highest number of visitors.

Perhaps it is because of the exposure the country’s investment potential will get, or perhaps their tourism industry will receive a much-needed boost.

Whatever the reason, those who con sider themselves in-the-know believe that in the long-term their attendance at Expo will be worth every cent spent.

Consequently Fiji, with PNG, have contributed the most to the Pacific’s

participation.

With an estimated 20 million people expected to visit Expo, Fiji believes it could find no better place to display its culture, investment and business poten tial and tourist attractions.

The country’s national airline, Air Pacific, is keeping a close eye on the growing number of tourists from Europe,

and tourism will be given high profile. In 1990, Fiji played host to 27,211 visitors from continental Europe and 16,773 from the United Kingdom. These num bers have been slowly growing.

Fiji hopes to get a foot in the door before the one-Europe concept is put in place. This will open the doors to allow Fiji access to the huge European market, and allow Fiji to tap into the large pool of European investors.

At present Fiji is trying to encourage the transition of its economy from an inward-oriented one to an outward-, or export-oriented, one. To do this the government has given special incentives to encourage investment in exporting industries.

These incentives and the country’s investment potential might be the main drawcard to Spain.

Australia has long been Fiji’s major

investor and the country has benefited from the extensive Australian invest ment. However, Fiji has realised that it must diversify both its markets and its investors. As a result, the country has put its head down and worked hard. Come April, it will lift its head and proudly show Europe what it has to offer. □

Fiji; proud to show what it has to offer

Picture: Blue Lagoon Cruises