Business structures

Fiji law is based on English antecedents and the business structures recognised in English law - sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures and trusts (including unit trusts) - are all recognised in Fiji. Legislation based on English precedents, including the Companies Act, the Partnership Act, the Trustee Act and the Unit Trusts Act regulate these structures.

Company structures vary between private companies which are generally used for private or smaller business purposes and which restrict dealings in their shares and public companies used to structure larger enterprises.

Fiji has a small but well-regulated capital market. On 31 December 2008, 16 public listed companies were listed on the South Pacific Stock Exchange, trading in Suva. The Capital Markets Development Authority regulates capital market dealings.

The Commerce Commission is responsible for protecting competition in Fiji markets throught the operation and Fair Trading Decree 1992.  The Decree is modelled on the Australian Trade Practices Act. The Decree generally provides for consumer protection, merger and acquisition regulation, certain consumer guarantees and regulation of restrictive trade practices.