Constrained activities for investors

Under the Foreign Investment Act 2018, certain economic activities are subject to investment restrictions. These include:

Public bus services: Urban and rural licensed passenger transport for the general public. Excludes: Private school, hotel, shuttle, or worker transport services.
Public taxi services: Motorized taxi services (urban, suburban, and interurban).
Vehicle rentals: Leasing/hiring private vehicles without drivers.
Distribution sector: Retail and wholesale trade (unless pre-existing under the Act). Excludes: Beverage retail for on-premise consumption.
Tour guide services: Includes bird watching, game fishing, diving, and surfing tours.
Handicraft production: Traditional design and crafting of local items.
Sawmilling: Cutting logs into timber.
Fishing (inshore): Artisanal and commercial fishing within 12 nautical miles.
Tibuta garment making: Designing and sewing traditional Tibuta clothing

Salt production: Foreign investors must form a joint venture with a local partner.
Virgin coconut oil: Foreign investors must establish a joint venture with a local partner.
Recycling services: Refuse disposal for recyclable items (except PET 14, lead-acid batteries, aluminum cans) must be supplied via a commercial presence. Consulting excluded.
Liner shipping services: License required, evaluated on frequency, type, price, and impact. Preference for Kiribati-owned and staffed carriers. Local agent mandatory.
International shipping (Bulk/Tramp/Passenger): Local agent in Kiribati required. Maritime agency services: Must operate through a local agent established in Kiribati.
Aluminium Industry

Weapons & hazardous materials: Includes production, testing, or import of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons and hazardous waste.
Human cloning: Research related to human cloning is not permitted.
Narcotic drug production: Production of illegal narcotic substances is prohibited.
Protected wildlife exploitation: Hunting or trading of conserved bird species.
Treaty violations: Any activities banned under Kiribati’s international agreements.
Fishing: In conserved areas, coral and turtle harvesting, endangered species, berried female lobsters, giant clams, sharks.
Agriculture: Exporting millionaire salad, coconut crab harvesting, logging coconut-bearing trees.