Noting that the current annual trade between India and Pacific Island Countries (PICs) currently hovers at around $300 million, he said the trade is low in volume due to their small population, market sizes and long distance from India.
"Invest in Fiji and use that as a bouncing board into Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Parts of Southeast Asia have the fastest-growing population. Countries like Indonesia will have shortage of food in due course. So the food needs to come from people who can supply food chain. Australia is investing around $600 billion to service Asia as it is very close to that region," Punja said at an event promoting India-Fiji partnership organised by the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce here.
"Renewable energy, agriculture, business process outsourcing (BPO), hospitality, gold jewellery, pharmaceuticals, art and infrastructure these are sectors where people in Fiji are interested to find partners from India. The cost of labour is significantly less in Fiji as compared to countries like Australia. So we are looking to set up a logistical hub in Fiji," he said.
Fiji is referred to as the 'gateway to the Pacific' as it acts as a platform to make way into 14 Pacific island countries, with a combined population of about 2.3 million people, a release issued at the event said.
The envoy said the annual tourist traffic from across the globe in Fiji is around nine lakh, which is almost equal to the present population of the island but pointed out that the country is ready to take another 10 per cent tourists immediately.
"We can take another at least 10 per cent immediately. The number of total Indian tourists is only around 5,000. So it is very low. People do not need visas to enter Fiji. So we certainly hope to increase the tourist traffic from India," he said.
Referring to the deep cultural and historical linkages between the two nations, he said at least 37 per cent of Fiji's current population comprises Indo-Fij who take pride in their connection with India and serve as a valuable conduit to enhance the bilateral ties.
( With inputs from IANS )