Government of the Republic of Fiji
Government of the Republic of Fiji
01/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/22/2026 21:11
PCS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF DR RADIKA KUMAR AS...
The Public Service Commission (PSC), with the agreement of the Prime Minister, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Radika Kumar as the new Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Business Development, states PSC Chairman Luke Rokovada.
Dr Kumar brings more than 18 years of national, regional and international leadership experience, underpinned by strong expertise in policy development, economic analysis and evidence based decision-making. She holds a Doctor in Philosophy in Economics, a Master of Economics, and undergraduate qualifications in Accounting and Financial Management and Economics, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of the South Pacific.
Her academic credentials are further complemented by a Master of Business Administration and a Master's degree in Big Data and Business Intelligence from the European Business School of Barcelona, and a Certificate in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
In addition, Dr Kumar has undertaken extensive specialised training, including an Advanced Trade Policy Diploma from the World Trade Organisation and certifications in diplomacy, digital commerce, artificial intelligence policy, project management and emerging technologies. She is also an internationally published writer and scholar.
A proud Fijian, Dr Kumar began her public service career with the Government of Fiji, serving in several ministries and agencies, including the former Prices and Incomes Board, the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Trade and Communication, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. She later represented Fiji internationally as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, where she played a key role in multilateral trade negotiations and advanced Fiji's interests across global and regional forums.
Dr Kumar has also been the first Fijian and Pacific representative to be selected from the region as National Trade Advisor under the EU funded Hubs and Spoke Programme managed by the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Through the programme she was posted as National Trade Adviser to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, where she led the design and development of the country's first National Export Strategy with forward looking strategic insights of e-commerce, implemented the Trade Policy Framework and supported the Republic of Marshall Islands and the Small States of the region in various trade negotiations. She was privileged to lead the PACER Plus negotiations for the Republic of Marshall Islands and with her technical and strategic insights the small states in the Pacific benefitted particularly North Pacific. She also undertook trade and economic capacity building across the Micronesian sub-region.
Most recently, Dr Kumar has served at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London since 2019, holding several senior technical and advisory roles across its 56 member countries. Her work has included serving as Trade Specialist, Adviser on Infrastructure Policy, and Adviser for Artificial Intelligence and Transformative Technologies.
Dr Kumar's appointment comes at a pivotal time as Fiji advances its National Development Plan priorities, including economic resilience, digital transformation and inclusive growth. As Permanent Secretary, she will oversee business and industry development, support micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) growth, strengthen export competitiveness, mobilise investment, expand value chains, and digital and innovation capabilities across commerce sectors.
In accepting the appointment, Dr Kumar said:
"I am deeply honoured and humbled to return home to serve Fiji. My focus will be on building a resilient and globally connected economy where MSMEs thrive, youth and women participate fully, digital innovation drives growth, and all communities - urban, rural and island - benefit from opportunity. I look forward to working closely with Government, the private sector, civil society, development partners, and all stakeholders to build a better future for current and future generations."
Dr Radika is from Visama, Nausori and had her primary education at Visama Primary School.
The Public Service Commission congratulates Dr Radhika on her appointment and looks forward to her leadership in advancing Fiji's economic transformation, digital capability and sustainable business development, states Chairman Rokovada.
Dr Radika will assume her role from 4 May, 2026 and will take over from Mr Peni Sikivou, Permanent Secretary for Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics who has been acting Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Business Development from 5 January 2026.
Luke Rokovada
Chairman
Public Service Commission
Dr Kumar brings more than 18 years of national, regional and international leadership experience, underpinned by strong expertise in policy development, economic analysis and evidence based decision-making. She holds a Doctor in Philosophy in Economics, a Master of Economics, and undergraduate qualifications in Accounting and Financial Management and Economics, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of the South Pacific.
Her academic credentials are further complemented by a Master of Business Administration and a Master's degree in Big Data and Business Intelligence from the European Business School of Barcelona, and a Certificate in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
In addition, Dr Kumar has undertaken extensive specialised training, including an Advanced Trade Policy Diploma from the World Trade Organisation and certifications in diplomacy, digital commerce, artificial intelligence policy, project management and emerging technologies. She is also an internationally published writer and scholar.
A proud Fijian, Dr Kumar began her public service career with the Government of Fiji, serving in several ministries and agencies, including the former Prices and Incomes Board, the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Trade and Communication, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. She later represented Fiji internationally as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, where she played a key role in multilateral trade negotiations and advanced Fiji's interests across global and regional forums.
Dr Kumar has also been the first Fijian and Pacific representative to be selected from the region as National Trade Advisor under the EU funded Hubs and Spoke Programme managed by the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Through the programme she was posted as National Trade Adviser to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, where she led the design and development of the country's first National Export Strategy with forward looking strategic insights of e-commerce, implemented the Trade Policy Framework and supported the Republic of Marshall Islands and the Small States of the region in various trade negotiations. She was privileged to lead the PACER Plus negotiations for the Republic of Marshall Islands and with her technical and strategic insights the small states in the Pacific benefitted particularly North Pacific. She also undertook trade and economic capacity building across the Micronesian sub-region.
Most recently, Dr Kumar has served at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London since 2019, holding several senior technical and advisory roles across its 56 member countries. Her work has included serving as Trade Specialist, Adviser on Infrastructure Policy, and Adviser for Artificial Intelligence and Transformative Technologies.
Dr Kumar's appointment comes at a pivotal time as Fiji advances its National Development Plan priorities, including economic resilience, digital transformation and inclusive growth. As Permanent Secretary, she will oversee business and industry development, support micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) growth, strengthen export competitiveness, mobilise investment, expand value chains, and digital and innovation capabilities across commerce sectors.
In accepting the appointment, Dr Kumar said:
"I am deeply honoured and humbled to return home to serve Fiji. My focus will be on building a resilient and globally connected economy where MSMEs thrive, youth and women participate fully, digital innovation drives growth, and all communities - urban, rural and island - benefit from opportunity. I look forward to working closely with Government, the private sector, civil society, development partners, and all stakeholders to build a better future for current and future generations."
Dr Radika is from Visama, Nausori and had her primary education at Visama Primary School.
The Public Service Commission congratulates Dr Radhika on her appointment and looks forward to her leadership in advancing Fiji's economic transformation, digital capability and sustainable business development, states Chairman Rokovada.
Dr Radika will assume her role from 4 May, 2026 and will take over from Mr Peni Sikivou, Permanent Secretary for Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics who has been acting Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Business Development from 5 January 2026.
Luke Rokovada
Chairman
Public Service Commission
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