The recent Finance & Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) held in Suva, Fiji, from 7 – 10 August 2023, was a significant gathering that showcased the Pacific Islands Investment Forum’s (PIIF) innovative approach to driving infrastructure development in the Pacific region. PIIF Secretariat Mr Damien Beddoes presented the Co-Investment Platform initiative which supports the aspirations of Pacific governments in achieving Infrastructure developments through partnering with the regions Sovereign Wealth, Trust, Superannuation and Provident Funds.

The presentation provided a uniquely Pacific solution to support the development of Pacific countries using their own Pacific Funds. The proposal will see the PIIF co-investment team available to Pacific Governments to discuss their National Infrastructure Plans and identify potential commercially viable projects for partnering. Beddoes also presented the barriers to investing in the Pacific, demonstrating a matrix of the pacific countries and their barriers that restrict the ability for Pacific capital to flow across the region for development and investment.

At the conclusion of the presentation supporting interventions were made by Tuvalu, Fiji, Cook Islands, New Zealand, and Australia. The Ministers then emphasised the need for Members to address the investment impediments and ensure alignment of Government policy reforms and practices for investment and supported the engagement with the PIIF co-investment platform to identify commercially viable infrastructure projects for investment in their countries.