Head of State unveils Fiji’s new Polymer Banknote Series

The President of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, unveiled the country’s new polymer banknote series today at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

In attendance was the Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka, cabinet ministers, members of parliament, members of the diplomatic corp and the private sector.

President Lalabalavu highlighted that our currency is more than just a medium of exchange; it is a symbol of our nationhood and sovereignty.

“Today, we celebrate progress, prosperity, and unity as Fiji introduces a complete family of polymer banknotes for the first time.The new banknotes maintain the primary colors of existing notes while introducing updated designs that reflect Fiji’s national identity, heritage, and values:

• $𝟓 – 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐨𝐧𝐮 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐚 (𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞), 𝐅𝐢𝐣𝐢’𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞.
• $𝟏𝟎 – 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
• $𝟐𝟎 – 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐣𝐢 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩.
• $𝟓𝟎 – 𝐀 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐲𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐬, 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐲𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲’𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭;
• $𝟏𝟎𝟎 – 𝐀𝐧 𝐢-𝐓𝐚𝐮𝐤𝐞𝐢 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐰𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐚𝐪𝐨𝐧𝐚, 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐚𝐪𝐨𝐧𝐚 𝐕𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲.

President Lalabalvu highlighted that the Polymer banknotes are layered with a combination of overt and covert security features, creating distinctive points for authentication. This makes them significantly more difficult to counterfeit compared to paper notes.

“Globally, polymer banknotes have supported central banks’ sustainability efforts by reducing the volume of notes required, resulting in less waste for disposal. Each polymer banknote carries a vastly lower carbon footprint and is considered more environmentally friendly than paper or hybrid substrates.”

“The Reserve Bank has further offset emissions through a community project providing solar energy to 24 homes and the village hall in Nakida, Naitasiri Province.”

President Lalabalavu acknowledged the Reserve Bank of Fiji and its team, as well as Crane Currency of Malta for their technical expertise in designing and producing the new banknotes. He also acknowledged the Bank’s strong economic management, noting robust financial systems, control of inflation, and near-record levels of oreign reserves.

“Today, we celebrate not just the new designs, but the strength of the Fiji dollar and our economy,” President Lalabalavu said.

The New Polymer Series Banknotes mark a historic milestone in Fiji’s financial history, combining innovation, national pride, and sustainability.

Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Ariff Ali highlighted the RBF’s commitment to environmental responsibility, revealing that the bank has offset carbon emissions associated with the production of the new notes and is working with recyclers to explore recycling opportunities throughout the cash cycle.

The launch also marks Fiji’s first collaboration with Crane Currency, a global banknote manufacturer with over 200 years of expertise. He also clarified that Fiji’s coins are unlikely to undergo review before 2030 due to their durability and lower counterfeiting risks.