Camillo says he could eradicate poverty in Fiji by 2056

Aspiring politician Abel Camillo says he could eradicate absolute poverty in Fiji by 2056 under an ambitious 30-year economic plan he intends to pursue if elected.

Speaking to Duavata News, Camillo said his plan proposes transforming Fiji from a tourism-reliant economy into a diversified regional economic hub through major reforms in foreign investment, agriculture, renewable energy, technology and infrastructure.

By 2036, Camillo wants Fiji’s unemployment rate reduced to below four per cent, 25,000 new jobs created outside the tourism sector, the country’s food import bill cut by 50 per cent and the main electricity grids transitioned to renewable energy.

His longer-term vision would see Fiji become a major financial services and ICT hub by 2046 before achieving what he describes as “economic sovereignty” by 2056.

His 2056 targets include eradicating absolute poverty, establishing a mature Sovereign Wealth Fund and developing smart-city infrastructure along the Suva-Nausori and Nadi-Lautoka corridors.

Camillo is also proposing a 14-working-day provisional approval system for qualifying foreign investments, the establishment of new Special Economic Zones, and requirements for major foreign investors to employ and train Fijians while progressively promoting them into senior positions.

He says Fiji should specifically target investment in high-tech aquaculture, value-added agriculture, renewable energy, and business and knowledge-process outsourcing.