Jobs, consumption, investment continue to be subdued:RBF
The Reserve Bank of Fiji says recent locally transmitted cases and containment measures will prolong already subdued economic activity in the country. The RBF’s April statement reports that visitor arrivals were
Tributes and warnings on World Press Freedom Day
The Pacific Islands News Association has paid tribute to media workers covering the COVID-19 pandemic, recognising their commitment and the “great sacrifice” they have made.
ADB predicts modest growth for Pacific economies this year
The Asian Development Bank expects Pacific Island economies to return to positive growth this year, although at different rates, and with a great deal riding on successful vaccine roll-outs. Pacific economies contracted
Sope’s history lesson
Vanuatu’s former Roving Ambassador and former Prime Minister, Barak Sope, has disputed claims that the late Sir Michael Somare was a supporter of West Papua. Sope says it is important that original political leaders
From our archives: Bartering for Betterment
Barter for Better Fiji celebrates its one year anniversary today. The group has 193,300 members and is still hosting trades. In December 2020 we profiled Marlene Dutta as part of our 2020 People of the Year series.
Tuvalu ponders relevance of Queen as Head of State
The status of the Queen as Head of State in Tuvalu will again come under scrutiny as the first public consultation for Tuvalu’s Constitutional Review gets underway. “The Constitutional Review process
“We are certain there are more cases out there”: Dr Fong
Fiji has a new case of COVID-19, and Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Health says “we are certain there are more cases out there.” The new case is the daughter of the Nadi hotel worker working at a quarantine hotel,
From our archives: Fiame’s new chapter
As the official vote count continues in Samoa, we revisit our cover story from November 2020. “It’s very liberating. I haven’t felt this excited about politics for a long time,” says Samoa’s former
Olympics countdown: 101 days and different ways
It’s now 101 days to the long-awaited Tokyo Olympics. The uncertainties and delay in staging of the 2020 Games, and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on training, qualification processes and mobility, means
Opinion: Environmental protection and government’s failures
Last month the Suva Magistrates Court found the developers of a resort site on Fiji’s Malolo Islands guilty of undertaking development without an approved Environmental Impact Assessment Report. That development
Fiji Business Briefs: Fiji Kava, Thunderstruck, FijCare and more
Thunderstruck mining company is discussing a joint venture arrangement with a shortlist of companies for its Rama copper and gold prospect. A company statement also says significant work is underway to prepare for a
Opinion: Australia should advocate for developing countries at the G7
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has invited Australia, along with India and South Korea, to attend this year’s prestigious Group of Seven Leaders’ Summit in June. This is a rare opportunity for Australia to
Opinion: Chinese overfishing in the South Pacific devastates some Islands’ livelihoods
Chinese fishing boats’ illegal overfishing in the South Pacific has been devastating some island economies. According to two former U.S. officials, “illegal, unregulated fishing by Chinese vessels has become common
PNG’s largest bank to list on the Australian Stock Exchange
Shareholders have approved Papua New Guinea’s largest bank, Bank South Pacific, listing on the Australian Securities Exchange in a bid to access more capital and improve its presence in international capital markets,
Palau welcomes tourists, Cook Is still waiting
Quarantine free trouble has begun between Palau and Taiwan with the arrival of Palau’s first inbound tourism flight since March last year. Palau’s President, Surangel Whipps, Jr. returned to Palau from Taiwan on
Worldwide whitewash?
Worldwide anti-corruption rankings – or first world whitewash? Long-standing questions about the fairness of corruption ratings and rankings from Transparency International surveys now have answers. From the Pacific,
Fiji Business Briefs: Company registration, EFL, Communications Fiji
The deadline for digital registration of existing companies, foreign companies and business name holders has been extended to 31 July 2021. The Fiji government says the additional extension has been granted on the
Fiji business briefs: BSP, Pleass, Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association
Bank of South Pacific (BSP) plans to list on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). BSP has given notice of its intention to change its constitution to allow for dual listing in Australia as well as its current
Severe drought and water crisis in Banaba
The Office of the President in Kiribati has today responded swiftly to desperate pleas for fresh water supplies from the people of Banaba. PACNEWS has established that a directive has come from the President’s Office
FNPF to sell EFL shares
Barely a year after it bought a 20 percent stake in Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL), the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) is in the process of selling it. While details have yet to be announced, Islands
Tuvatu gold prospect could be Fiji’s next Vatukoula: MRD
The Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji’s Western Viti Levu is likely to be the country’s next big gold gig, potentially rivalling the size of the neighbouring Vatukoula Gold Mine, the only active gold mine
Fiji’s PS Konrote resigns
The most senior civil servant in Fiji’s Ministry of Economy, Makereta Konrote, has resigned from the post. Konrote’s resignation comes at a critical time, as Fiji’s Minister of Economy remains in Singapore for
Fiji Business briefs: Pasifika Heartbeat, trade expos
Fiji’s Minister for Economy says there will no civil service pay cuts. Speaking from Singapore during an online budget consultation, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the government’s wage bill is $1.1 billion (US$500