Fiji has taken another step toward overhauling its competition and consumer protection framework, with nationwide consultations completed on legislation that would replace the country’s 2010 competition law and establish a modern framework for regulating market conduct and protecting consumers.
Fiji’s Ministry of Commerce and Business Development (MCBD) and the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) held public consultations from July 27 to August 4, 2026, on the draft Competition and Consumer Commission Bill 2026, with technical support from the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI).
The consultations covered nine locations across Viti Levu and Vanua Levu — Suva, Nadi, Nasinu, Nausori, Sigatoka, Lautoka, Ba, Labasa and Savusavu. Members of the public, businesses and industry representatives, nongovernment organizations, civil society groups and community organizations were invited to participate and provide written submissions.
The proposed legislation will replace the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission Act 2010, providing the legal basis for a revised competition and consumer protection regime. It is intended to establish clearer rules governing anticompetitive conduct, including cartels and abuse of market power, while strengthening consumer protection and fair trading.
Long-running competition reform
The latest consultations are the result of a competition reform program that has been under development for several years, with PSDI providing technical assistance to the Fijian government and the FCCC.
PSDI began its ongoing support for competition policy reform and the strengthening of the Fiji competition regulator in 2016. Its work has included reviewing Fiji’s competition legislation, supporting development of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Protection Policy, and assisting with the development of a new competition and consumer protection bill.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Policy was endorsed by Fiji’s Cabinet in April 2020, establishing a broader policy foundation for the legislative reforms now being advanced. PSDI subsequently supported consultations on an earlier draft of the bill beginning in 2022.
PSDI’s FY2025 progress report said its work with the FCCC and the then-Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises was focused on strengthening Fiji’s competition and consumer protection framework. The program included a review of the 2010 Act, development of the national policy, drafting of competition legislation and an evaluation of the FCCC’s institutional capacity.
Balancing competition and consumer protection
The proposed bill is intended to provide a clearer framework for how businesses compete and how the regulator responds when market conduct harms competition or consumers.
Rules addressing cartels and abuse of market power are central to the proposed regime. At the same time, the legislation seeks to strengthen consumer safeguards and fair trading, giving the regulatory framework a dual focus on competitive markets and consumer interests.
The reform comes as Fiji continues efforts to create a more effective business environment. PSDI describes its competition and consumer protection work as part of a broader program aimed at creating an environment in which businesses can establish, innovate and increase productivity.
Earlier PSDI work on Fiji’s competition framework also highlighted the importance of creating a regulatory approach that supports open competition while allowing markets to operate with less unnecessary intervention. A PSDI case study on the earlier reform process noted private-sector interest in greater self-compliance and a more balanced role for the regulator. (Pacific PSD Initiative)
From legislation to implementation
The completion of the consultations marks a further stage in the legislative process, but the reform will ultimately depend on how the new framework is implemented and enforced.
PSDI said it will continue supporting Fiji once the bill is passed, extending its assistance beyond legislative development to implementation of the new competition and consumer protection regime.
That implementation support is consistent with PSDI’s longer-term work to strengthen the FCCC’s institutional capacity. Its previous assistance has included a capacity evaluation of the Commission and development of a capacity-building program based on the findings.
For Fiji, the proposed legislation therefore represents more than a replacement of the 2010 Act. It is the latest stage of a multi-year effort to modernize competition policy, strengthen the institutions responsible for enforcing it and provide businesses and consumers with clearer rules governing the marketplace.
The outcome of the consultation process will inform the government's consideration of the draft bill before the legislation proceeds through Fiji’s legislative process.
