Business briefs: Digicel Pacific “an attractive asset”
The CEO of Australian telco Telstra says Digicel Pacific is an attractive asset. Andy Penn has told the Australian Financial Review that talks continue on potentially acquiring Digicel Pacific. “We would only do it
A slower recovery: Findings from the 15th Pacific Business Monitor
Just 8% of Pacific Islands businesses expect to return to pre-COVID revenue this year, with 55% expecting this recovery next year or even later according to the latest Pacific Trade Invest Pacific Business Monitor
Vanuatu: taking the pandemic in its economic stride
Economic data out of Vanuatu indicates that the country’s economy has been less affected than expected by the COVID-19 pandemic. No doubt there has been real economic pain. But the latest GDP figures show a fall of
Fiji’s Minister for Women resigns
Fiji’s Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa has resigned from Fiji’s cabinet. Vuniwaqa’s resignation takes effect today, several sources close to cabinet have confirmed. She
Climate, Covid and Co-ordination: Forum leaders hold online summit
A virtual summit of the Pacific Islands Forum will be held this Friday 6 August, after the annual face-to-face meeting of presidents and prime ministers was again disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. After the 2020
Tides that bind: Australia and Pacific leadership
Richard Marles has a passion for the Pacific. In his new book ‘Tides that bind: Australia in the Pacific’, the deputy leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) argues that Australia should play a greater leadership
Can the Fijianas make history in Tokyo?
After an impressive outing in their pool games, Fiji’s women’s rugby 7s side, the Fijianas, have secured a place in the quarter finals at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The women have shown great improvement in their
Fiji Airways returns two planes ahead of schedule
Fiji Airways has returned two A330-200 aircraft to Etihad Airways group months ahead of the end of its lease. Fiji Airways leased the Island of Beqa (DQ-FJO) and Island of Vatulele (DQ-FJP) in 2018 to “boost the
We need art now more than ever
The cultural and creative sectors are among the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many artists in Fiji, this means many are relying on one meal a day and doing what they can to plant and grow food for
Independence leader takes top job in New Caledonia
After months of delay, New Caledonia finally has a new leader. Louis Mapou was elected as President of New Caledonia on 8 July, the first time in nearly 40 years that a Kanak independence leader will head the government
Nauru determined to back Deep Sea Mining
With the COVID-19 Pandemic maintaining its crippling grip on the Pacific, legislators have struggled to find alternative sources of income to buoy national economies. On the rocky outcrop of Nauru in the Central
