Fiji consists of an archipelago of two main islands and 330 smaller islands — of which about 110 are permanently inhabited — and a population of over 900,000.

Fiji participates in comprehensive policy dialogues within the ACP-EU institutions from senior officials to parliamentary and ministerial levels.

The EU and Fiji hold High-Level Political Dialogues to address common interests and challenges, such as climate change, oceans, human rights, development cooperation, as well as economic and trade cooperation. In April 2024, Fiji and the EU held in Suva their first Partnership Dialogue under Art. 3 of the Samoa Agreement.

Fiji and the EU are engaged in the Pacific region through the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and  Pacific Community (SPC). The Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) coordinates the ACP-EU policy dialogues.

Fiji is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), categorised as Upper Middle-Income Country. Its economic base comprises tourism, fisheries, agriculture (mainly sugar) and remittances.

Tourism accounts for around 35% of GDP and employs approximately 150,000 people directly and indirectly. Natural resources include timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil, and hydropower. Agriculture contributes ca. 10.75% of GDP (2018, WB) and employs 60% of Fiji's workforce.

In 2014, Fiji started the application of the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and the Pacific which it had signed in 2009. T

Fiji, classified as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) and an Upper Middle-Income Country, has a diverse economic base primarily driven by tourism, which contributes approximately 40% to its GDP. This sector not only plays a crucial role in the economy but also serves as the largest formal employer, engaging over a third of the country's workforce.

Other significant contributors to Fiji's economy include remittances, mineral water, gold, agriculture (particularly vegetables and sugar), as well as textiles, animal products, and timber.

In August 2024, Fiji and the European Union (EU) further deepened their trade relations through the full implementation of the EU-Pacific States Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The EPA is a trade and development agreement, which liberalises bilateral trade in order to promote sustainable development and the integration of Fiji into the world economy. The effective implementation of the EPA and its tariff liberalisation commitments further enhance trade opportunities for businesses and investors.

Fiji is already reaping the benefits of the EPA, which provides duty-free and quota-free access for Fijian exports to the EU – the world’s largest single market. This helps boost Fiji’s exports by allowing Fijian made products to enter the EU markets without import taxes.

With the removal of duties on European products, the Fijian consumers and businesses will have better access to high-quality goods from the EU, including advanced technology and machinery. This will improve the quality and efficiency of production in Fiji and competitiveness of Fijian made products.

The EPA also plays a pivotal role in facilitating cooperation on trade and investment and on supporting the development of value chains, including through a unique concession by the EU – the so-called “Global sourcing” provision. Once operational, this provision will allow Fiji to export processed fish to EU that are sourced from foreign-flagged vessels.

Fiji’s main exports to the EU are cane sugar, frozen and processed fish, bottled water, processed ginger, gold and rum, while the main imports from the EU are manufacturing machineries, frozen cooked potatoes, vaccines for humans, fertilisers, and replacement parts of machines.he EPA gives all Fijian products duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market — the world’s largest single market. It helps the country to alleviate poverty and create jobs based on international values and principles, including sustainable development and human rights.

Fiji exports fish, water, gold and sugar to the EU market. Fiji imports from the EU include manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, and chemicals. Australia, Singapore, the US and New Zealand are also Fiji’s main trading partners.