ANZ, Aus Gov back critical infrastructure in Fiji

ANZ is providing funding to Fiji Airports in partnership with the Australian Government so capital works can continue during COVID-19, which will help the country welcome back international tourists once travel can resume safely.

ANZ is providing a loan to Fiji Airports, the first ever guaranteed by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) and the first local currency facility. The AIFFP also acted as co-lender alongside ANZ.

The AIFFP is an $A2 billion facility established in 2019 by the Australian Government to provide financing for infrastructure development in Pacific countries and Timor-Leste.

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The financing underscores ANZ’s commitment to supporting Fiji during the pandemic, as well as key infrastructure development in the Pacific, Paul Richards, Head of Structured Export Finance, ANZ said.

“Our partnership with AIFFP is a prime example of how the private sector and government can work together to bring critical infrastructure development to the region,” he said.

 “Investing in essential infrastructure is vital to attracting investors to the growing trade and investment opportunities in the Pacific region.”

Funds from the loan will increase passenger capacity through the upgrade of ground infrastructure such as aprons and aircraft parking slots, as well as modernising air traffic-control systems.

Fiji Airports is the main provider of airport services in Fiji. It owns and operates the Nadi International Airport and manages the Nausori International Airport in Suva, as well as 13 domestic outer island airports. It also provides traffic management services to airspace that includes Fiji, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Kiribati, and Vanuatu.

Resilient

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated Fiji’s tourism sector – which makes up around 40 per cent of the Fijian economy – with international borders shut, making travel to Fiji impossible for many tourists.  

The prolonged impact of the pandemic has had a huge toll on the country, Tessa Price, ANZ’s Regional Executive Pacific said.

“Our customers, employees and communities in Fiji are having a tough time and we continue to support them by offering options such as payment deferrals, interest-only loans and tenor extensions,” she said.

With a presence in Fiji for 141 years, ANZ remains confident of the country’s economic prospects as Fiji’s economy had performed well over the past decade prior to COVID-19.

“The Fijian economy is remarkably resilient despite frequent setbacks from cyclones, floods, storm surges and drought,” Price said.

“ANZ is optimistic Fiji will overcome the current challenges and this infrastructure project will be critical in driving economic growth when tourists eventually return.”

Sharon Klyne is Associate Director – Institutional Communications, ANZ