Fiji’s outsourcing industry recently took center stage at the 9th Global Aid for Trade Review held in Geneva, Switzerland. The event, hosted by the World Trade Organisation, provided a platform for Indo-Pacific voices to share their stories and insights globally.
Representing the achievements facilitated by the Australian Government’s Market Development Facility (MDF) in Fiji, Outsource Fiji showcased the sector’s impressive growth and innovation.
During a session titled “Voices of the Indo-Pacific – A Deep-Dive into the Market Development Facility in Timor-Leste and Fiji,” Outsource Fiji executive director Sagufta Janif highlighted the incredible resilience and growth of Fiji’s outsourcing industry, particularly during challenging times.
Janif emphasized that Fiji has become a sought-after destination for risk-diversification outsourcing, thanks to strategic support from the Australian Government’s market development facility (MDF) and the Fiji Government.
She discussed the digital trade ecosystem in Fiji, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by Pacific nations and the exciting opportunities ahead, such as the upcoming Google link connecting Fiji to the rest of the world.
Gender equality in the digital economy
Based on discussions at the recent UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) eWeek, a session during the event titled “From Access to Action: Empowering Women in Digital Trade” focused on creating practical ways for more women to participate in the digital economy.
The session featured presentations on solutions that could take advantage of digitalization to promote gender equality in global digital trade. Speakers discussed success stories of women entrepreneurs in the digital space, showcased initiatives such as mentorship programs and support networks, and explored the roles governments and development partners can play in fostering an inclusive digital economy.
Outsource Fiji highlighted that while the global internet gender gap is narrowing, it persists at a significant level in developing countries. This disparity is particularly pronounced in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), where internet usage among women sits at only 30% compared to 41% for men.
Connectivity is the first step toward digital empowerment for women, as noted by Outsource Fiji. Notably, Fiji’s outsourcing industry employs approximately 70% women, showcasing the sector’s commitment to gender equality.
