The recent increase in trade and commerce between Fiji and the Solomon Islands has seen the establishment of a Fiji – Solomon Islands Business Council.
This was confirmed by Fiji’s non – resident High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Romanu Tikotikoca.
PACNEWS reports the council was established last Friday and is expected to strengthen trade and development relations between the two countries.
He said there’s quite a large number of Fijians working out of Solomon Islands in the various sectors including security, business, construction, transportation and others.
Mr Tikotikoca said Fijian business houses operating out of Honiara have increased from just 7 in 2005 to 28 this year and this shows the level of cooperation and trade between the two countries.
Some Fijian companies that have established themselves in the Solomon Islands include Punjas, FMF, CJ Patel and Darlbrough employing more than 1-thousand locals and Fijians.
He added there are around 500 Fijians living in the Solomon Islands apart from students and this is expected to grow even further as the Melanesian Spearhead Group Skilled Labour Movement comes into implementation.