Opinion: Putting the Case Forward for Pacific Integration
Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders identified and discussed the various elements that could constitute the 2050 Strategy at their annual meeting in Funafuti, Tuvalu in August 2019. They then tasked the Pacific Islands
AI-Based ChatBot to Streamline FDB Customer Service
Fijian tech firm ITGalax will be working closely with the Fiji Development Bank (FDB) to bring to life its winning Artificial Intelligence-based chatbot solution concept. ITGalax was one of five winners in the
Supply chain chaos and cooperation
Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers and officials have been advised to consider reviewing export taxes and tax credits to stimulate trade in the region. A review commissioned by the Forum says all sectors,
Aging ports infrastructure under scrutiny
The shared challenge of aging ports infrastructure will be one of the key issues discussed at the upcoming Association of Pacific Ports annual conference in Saipan next month. Ports authorities recognise it is time to
Jaro Local takes Pacific and the world by storm
Award-winning Solomon Islands singer/songwriter, Jaro Local, is a soaring star around the Pacific, making waves internationally with his unique blend of contemporary island, R&B, pop and reggae music. Jaro is
Opening the window
Vanuatu is leading the region in the use of an Electronic Single Window System to ensure trade documentation is organised in a more efficient and transparent way. The manager for the Electronic Single Window Project,
New parametric insurance products launched
In early August, Salaseini Koroi, a schoolteacher turned cane farmer, sent two tonnes of harvested cane to Lautoka mill. It was the culmination of a year’s hard work in the fields of Lautoka, in Fiji’s western
Photo exhibit challenges anti-Micronesian attitudes in Hawaii
A photography exhibit by veteran Pacific journalist Floyd K. Takeuchi opens in Honolulu on September 1 with the explicit purpose of challenging local negative stereotypes about the state’s small but highly visible
Milk goats and soaps
From her garage-turned-lab, entrepreneur Beatrice Nast is creating Fiji’s first soap made from pure goat milk. The current president of the Society of Fiji Travel Associates, Nast has worn many hats during her tourism
Movers and Shakers
NASFUND PNG’s longest serving CEO Ian Tarutia has announced his retirement in March 2023. For almost 35 years, Tarutia has served the fund and its predecessor, the National Provident Fund. Fiji-born Lisa Tai has
Former Fiji opposition leader Jai Ram Reddy dies
Former Fiji leader of the opposition, judge and political trailblazer, Jai Ram Reddy has died. Reddy, 85, passed away in Auckland on Monday night. He was born in Lautoka in 1937 and had a long and illustrious career as
Indonesian fishing boat captain shooting in PNG to be investigated
Indonesia has lodged a diplomatic protest with Papua New Guinea after the alleged shooting of an Indonesian fishing boat captain last week. Indonesian Ambassador to PNG, Adriana Suprandy confirmed this last night and
Pacific fisheries observers deployment to resume in January 2023
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) said that it will lift the moratorium on the fisheries observer coverage in the region by January 2023. In a Circular Memo in June, WCPFC stated that the
Kina Bank PNG announced a K45.6 million profit
Papua New Guinea’s Kina Bank has announced a K45.6 million (US$12.9 million) net profit after tax, as of August 29, 2022. The Board said that this is an increase of 15%, compared to the prior corresponding period
Opinion: Solomon Islands, a blueprint to stop a cycle of strife
Allowing more power for the provinces under a decentralised system of governance will be a step towards stability. In November last year, Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara erupted into three days of riots, resulting in
Kiribati govt labels NZ judges ‘very biased’ over Lambourne case
Three New Zealand judges have been branded “very biased” by the Kiribati government, after a dramatic attempt to deport a fellow judge failed. In July, Kiribati suspended Judge Bill Hastings, a New Zealand judge
USP Emalus Campus to resolve internet problem
The Director of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Emalus Campus, Dr Andrew McKenzie, believes that a stable and effective contract with the Vanuatu government is the way forward to avoid the ongoing internet
Marshall Islands praised for ‘unprecedented’ COVID response
United States-based medical doctors praised the Marshall Islands for an “unprecedented” response to its first COVID outbreak, as the positive case numbers declined dramatically this week after a record-setting first
New financial solution to strengthen accountability and service delivery in Kiribati
A new Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) for Kiribati is expected to usher in a new era of efficiency in public service delivery and accountability for the island nation. Specifically
Guam governor Guerrero wins primary election
The incumbent team of Lou Leon Guerrero and Josh Tenorio captured 54% of the total votes cast for both Democratic and Republican candidates in Saturday’s gubernatorial primary election in Guam. Voter turnout was a
Vanuatu Dissolution to be contested September 2
The constitutional case filed by 27 former Vanuatu Members of Parliament (MPs) challenging the legality of the Council of Minister’s (COM) advice for Parliament dissolution, is now set for hearing next Friday.
The Pacific e-commerce portal: Getting Pacific businesses online
A new Pacific e-commerce portal has been launched to help businesses transition from purely physical operation to online trading. The portal was launched by the Pacific Islands Forum yesterday, and includes
More Pacific collaboration to address tax challenges: PITAA
Gender inclusion, climate change and little capacity to digitalise processes are some emerging tax challenges faced in the Asia-Pacific region, heads of tax administrations have heard. Delegates to the Pacific Islands
