Pacific islands: Economic outlook
COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the region’s economies- but what is the Pacific islands’ economic outlook for the remainder 2021? ANZ economists Kishti Sen & Tom Kenny have this overview. The
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“Don’t let the Forum fail”: Case
US Rep. Ed Case has urged members of the Pacific Islands Forum to remain united. “Don’t let the Forum fail, that’s my basic message,” Congressman Case told Pacific journalists this week. Case is the co-founder
Tudravu resigns from Fiji Police Force
Senior Fiji Policeman, Rusiate Tudravu, has resigned from the force. Sources close to Tudravu say he cited personal reasons for his resignation, just over a week after the return of Police Commissioner, Brigadier
Business Profile: Pivoting Post Fiji
What do you do when the global pandemic shuts borders and cuts international mail services; services that were previously your bread and butter? If you are Post Fiji, you diversify your offerings and look to digital
Oil Search and Santos merger reflects funding worries for new projects
The proposed merger of oil and gas companies Oil Search and Santos could put downward rating pressure on Santos, according to S&P Global Ratings, while other analysts predict more global mergers and acquisitions in
IPCC report: ‘Code red’ for human driven global heating, warns UN chief
Climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying, and some trends are now irreversible, at least during the present time frame, according to the latest much-anticipated Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Students welcome VC’s return to University of the South Pacific
University of the South Pacific Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia resumes his role leading the regional university today. Professor Ahluwalia, who was reappointed to the role following his
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
A view of Bill 17 of 2021
Earlier this month, the government, in the context of its annual budget process, introduced a Bill (“Bill 17”) to amend the iTaukei Land Trust Act (TLTA) – the “iTaukei Land Trust (Budget Amendment) Act,
Fiji Wins Gold in Tokyo: Mission Accomplished
Fiji’s flag is flying high again as the country’s men’s rugby 7s team successfully defended its gold medal after a thrilling final against old rugby rivals New Zealand last night. The nail biting encounter was a
Fiji and NZ to meet in 7s gold medal clash
New Zealand and Fiji will meet in the gold medal match of the men’s Olympic sevens tournament at Tokyo 2020 tonight. The Fiji 7s men’s team shrugged off an unwavering Argentina side this afternoon. Young Sireli
Tokyo 2021: Pacific athletes ready to go
Let the Games Begin! Once again we will get to hear this iconic line as the Summer Olympic Games sets up for another momentous opening ceremony in Tokyo tonight. Despite the long delays and seeds of doubt conjured by
Fiji’s new budget: significant fiscal challenges
The task that the Fiji government has faced since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis has been challenging, involving difficult choices and adjustments. Despite rising case numbers and deaths, there is an obvious tension
Nine COVID-19 cases in Fiji travellers to NZ
Nine cases of COVID-19 have been detected among travellers from Fiji to New Zealand in the past week, a senior health official said. Fiji is grappling with a worsening Covid crisis, with over 15,686 people reported to
Oil Search rejects Santos bid
Oil Search rejected an unsolicited scrip-based takeover proposal from Santos Ltd that valued the Papua New Guinea-focused oil and gas producer at AUD$8.8 billion (US$6.5 billion), the two companies said on Tuesday.
No progress on Fiji bubble until COVID is controlled: Australia
Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific says Australia will want to see COVID cases under control in Fiji before any commitment can be made on a travel bubble. When Fiji’s Minister for
