Ahead of the EU-Pacific Business Forum, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Sikela, and Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, Manoa Kamikamica, share their perspectives on the evolving economic ties between the Pacific and the European Union, and the opportunities this partnership offers for businesses and communities.
Q&A with European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela
1. What makes the EU–Pacific Business Forum a game-changer for trade and investment between our regions?
For the first time, European and Pacific leaders, businesses, and development banks are coming together around one table to close concrete deals and advance real projects. This Forum shows that the EU–Pacific partnership has strong potential, and we should use this momentum to turn it into tangible benefits for our societies.
But we must go beyond contracts. We have to build whole ecosystems: developing local value chains, supporting education, training people, and ensuring that investments in energy, ports, fisheries, or digital connectivity bring lasting value. All of this must be underlined by a strong focus on sustainable solutions.
2. What role does the EU Global Gateway play in fostering sustainable growth in the Pacific?
Global Gateway is Europe’s strategy to mobilise €300 billion by 2027, with a significant share dedicated to the Pacific. We design our projects to reflect the priorities of both Europe and our partners: climate resilience, renewable energy, oceans, and digital sovereignty.
We call our approach the 360° model. It means that we link investments in hard infrastructure like hydropower plants with training, education, governance, and help build local value chains. In Fiji, two new hydropower plants will increase clean energy production by 15% while creating jobs and skills. In Solomon Islands, we are upgrading Honiara’s sanitation system. Across the region, new submarine cables will reduce internet costs and enable e-health and e-education.
3. How can Pacific businesses benefit from deeper ties with the European Union?
Deeper ties with Europe open new horizons for Pacific businesses. Through our trade agreements, you gain access to one of the world’s largest markets, and through Global Gateway you can attract European investment, technology, and know-how. Just as importantly, we support local value chains so that jobs and revenues stay in the Pacific.
Small and medium enterprises – the backbone of our economies – can benefit from microfinance, training, and digital tools. In Timor-Leste, for instance, our €10 million microfinance package is empowering farmers, women, and young entrepreneurs in agriculture and fisheries. Another example is the Matanataki Fund – a woman-led private fund addressing the need for increased climate resilience and adaptation in the Pacific Small Islands through private sector mobilisation.
4. What message do you have for Pacific entrepreneurs and European companies considering attending the Forum?
My message is simple: this is your moment. The Forum is a unique opportunity to build win-win partnerships, linking Pacific entrepreneurs with European investors, and European companies with Pacific opportunities. From renewable energy and digital connectivity to sustainable tourism and fisheries, the potential is enormous. We bring not only finance, but also high standards, long-term reliability, and a genuine partnership of equals.
Q&A with Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, Manoa Kamikamica
1. What specific opportunities or initiatives will the 1st EU-Pacific Business Forum bring to Fiji, and how could they impact trade and investment between our countries?
The 1st EU-Pacific Business Forum presents a strategic opportunity to elevate trade and investment cooperation between Fiji and the European Union. As a region, the Pacific is actively working to diversify its economic base, and deeper engagement with the EU will help unlock new markets for Pacific exports, attract high-quality and sustainable investments, and build value-chain partnerships that are mutually beneficial.
For Fiji, this Forum is a gateway to advancing sectoral interests in areas such as sustainable agriculture, green energy, fisheries, tourism, and niche manufacturing. It also provides a platform to showcase our commitment to good governance, sustainable development, and inclusive growth—key principles that align with EU priorities.
Beyond government-to-government engagement, this Forum enables direct interaction between the Fijian private sector and European investors and companies. It allows us to pitch Fiji as an investment hub, a trade partner, and a trusted destination for innovation in the Blue and Green Economy. Ultimately, it is about translating high-level dialogue into real opportunities that create jobs, boost exports, and raise incomes for our people.
2. How can Fijian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), benefit from deeper ties with the European Union, and what support mechanisms are in place to help them?
Deeper ties with the European Union offer Fijian MSMEs access to a large, high-value market with strong demand for sustainable, high-quality, and ethically produced goods and services. Through enhanced trade facilitation, technical support, and business matchmaking, Fijian MSMEs—particularly in agriculture, agro-processing, creative industries, and natural products—can gain footholds in Europe’s value chains.
The EU is also a development partner that provides capacity-building, financing, and market access support. Fiji is working with the EU and regional institutions to enhance compliance with EU standards, upgrade production capacity, and promote innovation through initiatives such as the EU-Pacific Interim Economic Partnership Agreement and related technical assistance programmes.
We are strengthening our domestic trade ecosystem through reforms and digital tools like the National Trade Portal and the forthcoming Single Window System, which will reduce costs and improve access for MSMEs.
3. What advice or encouragement do you have for Fijian entrepreneurs and European companies who are considering attending the Forum, and what can they expect to gain from their participation?
To all Fijian entrepreneurs and European companies – the EU-Pacific Business Forum is more than an event—it is a platform for partnership, innovation, and shared prosperity.
For our local businesses, this is your opportunity to tell your story, showcase your products, form strategic alliances, and explore pathways to export readiness.
For European companies, this is a chance to discover Fiji’s vibrant business environment, strong human capital, and our commitment to sustainable economic transformation.
You will learn about market opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and support mechanisms available to bridge the gap between Pacific entrepreneurs and global markets.
More importantly, your participation helps build a more inclusive economy—one that brings the benefits of trade and investment to the grassroots. When Fijian businesses grow, they create jobs in our communities, particularly for women and youth, improve livelihoods, and contribute to a more resilient Pacific.
