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IFC looks into innovative ways to spur investment and jobs for Fijians

January 16, 2019 6:54 am

Fiji has the potential to create more jobs and spur growth through innovative ways to attract private investment such as public-private partnerships.

This was highlighted by International Finance Corporations for Public-Private Partnerships, Emmanuel Nyirinkindi, who’s in the country for a two day visit.

He will be having discussions with Government and businesses.

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Nyirinkindi says IFC sees growing interest within countries in public-private partnerships as a tool to help governments leverage the expertise and efficiency of the private sector, raising capital and spurring development.

He says it’s a misconception to see public private partnerships as countries giving up their assets.

IFC has been looking at ways to help Fiji spur private sector investment in solar, to help achieve its target of 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.

The corporation is also working to help develop a project bringing in the private sector to provide affordable and climate-resilient homes for some of Fiji’s low and middle-income families.

This is in line with government’s vision to provide affordable and decent housing for all communities by 2020,

In a first for healthcare in the Pacific region, IFC has been advising the government of Fiji on the first ever public-private partnership for two hospitals which are Lautoka and Ba.

The move will provide all Fijians with access to a wider range of higher quality health care services.