Google will invest an estimated $200million and create 3600 jobs in Fiji through the Google Pacific Connect Initiative.
Minister for Trade and Communications Manoa Kamikamica told Members of Parliament that Government was very excited about this initiative and investment in Fiji.
“Improved digital connectivity and greater network infrastructure lead to technologies supporting social policy objectives such as the use of digital technology in health care, education, or disaster management, to name a few,” Mr Kamikamica said.
“In Fiji, Google is collaborating with key stakeholders, including FINTEL and the FNPF. These partnerships will strengthen Fiji and FINTEL’s telecommunications hub status.”
In addition, Mr Kamikamica said this would provide much-needed reliable and resilient connectivity between the people of the Pacific and the rest of the world.
He added the new subsea cable investment would act as a catalyst for new digital technology-enabled opportunities.
Mr Kamikamica also said this investment would support Fiji’s business process outsourcing (BPO) and outsource sector by offering greater network infrastructure.
“The estimated impact from new subsea cable infrastructure on Fiji’s economy and society would include higher economic output and supporting employment directly attributed to the market effects of this new cable infrastructure.
“By the year 2030, it is estimated that the annual economic output over seven years would have a cumulative total of around $US295 million ($F660m) and has the potential to support almost 3600 jobs economy wide.
“Google will lay the “Tabua cable” which will connect the United States, Australia and Fiji.
“Additionally, Google will lay a second subsea cable dubbed the “Honomoana cable” connecting the United States to French Polynesia and onward to Australia. There is also potential to eventually link Fiji to Japan and also to Chile, South America.”
