Fijian–Indonesian relations
Map indicating locations of Fiji and Indonesia

Fiji
Indonesia

Fiji and Indonesia established relations in 1974, at that time, the Indonesian mission to Fiji was accredited through the Indonesian embassy in Wellington, New Zealand. On 22 August 2002, Indonesia opened their embassy in Suva.[1] Fiji reciprocated by opening their embassy in Jakarta on 6 April 2011 which is also accredited to East Timor and Singapore. [2]

Economic relations

Although the trade volume is relatively small with a value of US$36 million in 2007,[3] Indonesia sees Fiji as a potential gate to enter the South Pacific market. According to the Indonesian Center for Statistics, the trade balance was heavily in favor to Indonesia that enjoyed trade surpluses for years. Indonesian exports to Fiji sees increasing trends that reached a total of US$18.63 million in 2006, US$18.74 million in 2007, and US$23.23 million in 2008.[1]

Fijians mainly rely on foreign imports for their daily needs since those are not being produced locally. Fiji mainly traded with Australia and New Zealand, and Indonesia saw this as an opportunity to enter the local market. Indonesian exports to Fiji are mainly daily products such as paper, fiber, textiles, electrical equipments, home appliances and electronics, furniture, gift and craft, fashion products, convenience foods, coffee, shampoo, soap, detergent, plastics, chemicals, automotive and parts, and also agricultural equipments.[1]

Cooperation, education and assistance

Initially the relations between two countries were dominated by the trade sector. The two countries, however, have agreed to expand their relations on other sectors, which includes tourism, business and education sectors. Fiji has sent dozens of their students to study in several Indonesian universities.[3] On 8 January 2014, the Indonesian government donated FJ$1 million (US$528,899) for the formation of the proposed Regional Police Academy at Nasova, Suva. The academy which will be based in Fiji will train police officers from the four Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) countries.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Hubungan dan Kerja Sama Bilateral RI-Fiji" (in Indonesian). Indonesian Embassy in Suva. Archived from the original on April 30, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Welcome to the Fiji Embassy". Embassy of the Republic of Fiji for Indonesia and Singapore in Jakarta.
  3. 1 2 "Fiji opens embassy in Indonesia to boost bilateral ties". Xinhuanet. April 6, 2011. Archived from the original on April 23, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  4. ↑ Unaisi Vesikula (January 8, 2014). "Indonesia Gives Funds For Proposed Police Academy In Fiji". Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
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