Investment Fiji’s business mission to Australia has created networking opportunities for Pacific Fishing Company Pte Limited (PAFCO), enabling them to explore the mutual avenues of collaboration and partnership in the fisheries sector.

PAFCO Chief Executive Officer Saiyad Raiyum embarked on the Australia mission to strengthen relationships and possibly create a network with buyers, agents, and distributors and key government contacts and secure new markets in Sydney and Brisbane.

"The mission was a great opportunity to engage and hold face-to-face discussions with business leaders and private sector organizations.  We held initial discussions on potential business opportunities in Australia and will continue further collaboration,” said Raiyum.

"Despite an arduous environment of severe trade and investment constraints in the past two years, the business environment is improving and economic activities are normalizing. The Australia mission took place at an opportune time, allowing the Fijian delegation to understand the Australian market,” he added.

"Our aim is to export our canned tuna products to Australia, which is in line with our strategies for growth of export markets to achieve PAFCO’s vision of becoming a regional tuna products exporter," highlighted Raiyum.

PAFCO operates a fully Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Safe Quality Food (SQF) certified tuna processing plant and, as such, can export its products into any country in the region, including North America, Asia, and Europe.

Raiyum said there are opportunities for their Australian counterparts to work with them and import their products, distribute them and grow their market share.

"Given the extensive size of the Australian market and the dynamics being different in each state, there are opportunities to work with multiple importers for different states as well as in different facets of the supply chain."

He acknowledged Investment Fiji for its crucial role in organizing and facilitating the Australia mission, allowing PAFCO to have direct B2B meetings as part of the program.

"Investment Fiji has access to market information that assists us in determining our strategy to correctly place our products in the market. They have been instrumental in connecting us with organizations such as Pacific Trade Invest, Market Development Facility and continue to support us through market intelligence sharing and arranging meetings with potential distributors. "

Food Processors (Fiji) Limited Sales Manager Rohit Prasad, who was also part of the delegation, is appreciative of the numerous possibilities and is pleased with the progress of the mission.

"During the week, we did a market survey in Sydney alongside attending meetings with a few distributors. On a positive note, I am optimistic about increasing our distribution in Australia this year,” said Prasad.

The week-long event in Sydney and Brisbane has now culminated and delegates will head back to Fiji this weekend.

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