Fiji Trade Commission

Government
After nearly a century as a British colony, Fiji became independent in 1970. Fiji is a Sovereign Democratic Republic and its Parliament may legislate for the peace, welfare and good government of the State in all matters. Fiji has a bicameral Parliament, consisting of His Excellency the President, an elected House of Representatives and a nominated Senate. Together they exercise the legislative functions of government.
The Parliament largely follows the procedures and customs of the British Parliament and the sittings of both Houses are always open to the public and visitors. In the House of Representatives you will see and hear the deliberations of members (MPs) whom the electors have chosen to represent them in Parliament.

The parliamentary elections held in May 2006 was won by the SDL party and Mr. Laisenia Qarase was re-elected Prime Minister for a second term. He invited the opposing Labour party to be part of his Cabinet in Fiji’s first ever “Multi-party Government”.

Location and Geography
Fiji is located in the South Pacific Ocean region on the 180 degrees International Dateline between Latitude 15 and 22 degrees South. It is about a three hours flight from New Zealand towards Hawaii and some 5,500 miles away from Los Angeles, USA.

The country comprises of a group of 333 tropical Islands with a total landmass of 7,054 square miles (18,270 square kilometers). The main islands are of mountainous volcanic origin wth the highest point, Mount Tomanivi, at 4,343 feet (1,324 meters) above sea level. Smaller coral island atolls surround the main islands.


The 333 Islands of Fiji	Fiji on the World Map

Climate
Fiji enjoys tropical maritime climate with only slight seasonal temperature variations, approximately between 20 to 32 degrees Celsius or 68 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The rainy season is between November to January and actual past records have shown that one major cyclone happened once every ten years.

Population, Religion and Language
Fiji boasts a multiracial population of about 850,000 people, with 54 percent native Fijians (Melanesians with a Polynesian admixture), Indians - 38 percent, and small communities of European, other Pacific Islanders and overseas Chinese. Major religious groups are Christians, 52 percent (Methodists 37 percent, Roman Catholics nine percent), Hindu, 38 percent, and Muslim, eight percent. Ethnic Fijians are mainly Christian and Indians Hindu.

The main language is English. Fijian and Hindi are the other two languages used by the two main ethnic communities.

Economy
Fiji is one of the most developed Pacific Island economies, with a GDP (2005/2006) of approximately F$5 billion (US$3 billion) and per capita income of F$5,600 (US$3,400).

Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism, Building and Construction, Communications, Timber and Manufacturing are the major growth industries in Fiji and offer good opportunities for foreign investment. With direct connectivity to the Southern Cross cable, Fiji's ICT industry has expanded significantly and is able to accommodate more international call centres and back office facilities.

Tourist arrivals in Fiji achieved over 500,000 per year (2005/2006). Tourism is the fastest growth industry and the major source of foreign exchange earnings together with remittances which are from Fijians working in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Kuwait and Iraq.