On March 13, 2025, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched the Frontier Seed (Pacific) program, aimed at fostering private sector growth and environmental impact in the Pacific region. The program focuses on catalyzing inclusive and sustainable growth by supporting local businesses in frontier markets. As part of this initiative, ADB has already identified two pioneering companies that will receive financial backing and technical assistance to accelerate their operations and contribute to the region’s economic and environmental resilience.
The first two recipients of funding under the Frontier Seed program include SeaPAC Pte Ltd, a saltwater prawn producer in Fiji, and Kahuto Pacific, a company specializing in aerial mapping services. Each of these companies will receive a $200,000 cost-recoverable technical assistance agreement from ADB. SeaPAC will use this funding to help commercialize Fiji’s prawn industry, aiming to bolster the country’s food security by expanding its seafood production. Kahuto Pacific, on the other hand, will use the funds to enhance its coastal mapping services, increasing the availability of critical data to support ocean resilience efforts in the region.
Ms. Emma Allen, ADB’s Deputy Regional Director for the Pacific, highlighted the significance of this program in advancing business opportunities and environmental sustainability. “Through ADB Frontier, we are taking a bold step forward by providing risk capital,” she said. “By standing alongside business owners and sharing risk, we aim to demonstrate the potential of these companies, attract new investors, and contribute to a thriving business ecosystem in the Pacific.”
The program also garnered support from the Government of Fiji, which expressed its enthusiasm for the initiative. Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Manoa Kamikamica, emphasized the importance of the program for the country’s long-term economic goals. “The Government of Fiji welcomes ADB’s Frontier Seed (Pacific) program as a vital initiative to support our local industries and drive sustainable economic growth,” Mr. Kamikamica said. “By supporting innovative businesses like SeaPAC and Kahuto Pacific, this program directly contributes to Fiji’s vision of a resilient and self-sufficient economy. This initiative strengthens our private sector development and creates jobs.”
The ADB Frontier Seed (Pacific) program is backed by a $4 million investment from several organizations, including ADB itself, the Ocean Resilience and Coastal Adaptation (ORCA) Trust Fund, the Nordic Development Fund, and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Of this total, ADB has committed $2 million, with the ORCA Trust Fund matching that amount, ensuring a strong foundation for the program’s goals.
Through initiatives like the Frontier Seed program, ADB continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Pacific region, driving economic development while simultaneously addressing ocean resilience and environmental concerns.