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Fiji and Indonesia established relations on 17 June 1974.[1] [2] At that time, the Indonesian mission to Fiji was accredited through the Indonesian embassy in Wellington, New Zealand. On 22 August 2002, Indonesia opened their embassy in Suva.[3] Fiji reciprocated by opening their embassy in Jakarta on 6 April 2011 which is also accredited to East Timor and Singapore.[4]
Although the trade volume is relatively small with a value of US$36 million in 2007,[5] Indonesia sees Fiji as a potential gate to enter the South Pacific market. According to the Indonesian Center for Statistics, the trade balance was heavily in favor to Indonesia that enjoyed trade surpluses for years. Indonesian exports to Fiji sees increasing trends that reached a total of US$18.63 million in 2006, US$18.74 million in 2007, and US$23.23 million in 2008.[3]
Fijians mainly rely on foreign imports for their daily needs since those are not being produced locally. Fiji mainly traded with Australia and New Zealand, and Indonesia saw this as an opportunity to enter the local market. Indonesian exports to Fiji are mainly daily products such as paper, fiber, textiles, electrical equipments, home appliances and electronics, furniture, gift and craft, fashion products, convenience foods, coffee, shampoo, soap, detergent, plastics, chemicals, automotive and parts, and also agricultural equipments.[3]
Initially the relations between two countries were dominated by the trade sector. The two countries, however, have agreed to expand their relations on other sectors, which includes tourism, business and education sectors. Fiji has sent dozens of their students to study in several Indonesian universities.[5] On 8 January 2014, the Indonesian government donated FJ$1 million (US$528,899) for the formation of the proposed Regional Police Academy at Nasova, Suva. The academy which will be based in Fiji will train police officers from the four Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) countries.[6]