Former Fiji Stats Chief clarifies controversial Household Income and Expenditure Survey
I note that there has been much debate since the release of the 2019-2020 Household Income and Expenditure Survey on the Fiji Bureau of Statistics Website www.statsfiji.gov.fj. The Minister of Economy, Aiyaz Sayed
Fiji Kava recovering
ASX-listed Fiji Kava recorded a net loss after tax of A$3.39 million (US$2.4 million) the company’s FJ21 Annual Report reveals. It’s an improvement on Fiji Kava’s FY20 result and follows growth in revenue of 52%.
Guam-born astronaut joins SpaceX’s Inspiration4
Space has always been part of Dr Sian Proctor’s life since birth. Her father, the late Edward Langley Proctor Jr, was a contractor for NASA’s remote ground terminal in Guam, where she was born during the Apollo
Kina’s acquisition of Westpac Pacific operations thwarted
Papua New Guinea’s Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) has rejected Kina Securities Limited’s proposal to buy out Westpac Bank’s PNG operations. The ICCC’s decision reflects its concerns about
Nawadra to lead SPREP
Fiji’s Sefanaia Nawadra is the new Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). Nawadra takes up the role next April, and will succeed Samoa’s Kosi Latu, who has served
The Pacific looks to Glasgow
What will the Pacific islands region be prioritising at the COP26 climate talks? By Dr Ian Fry As wildfires take lives and ravage property around the Mediterranean and North America and floods destroy lives and property
Aingimea: USP ‘thriving’, won’t be drawn on Fiji parliamentary criticism
*This news item was updated at 5:20pm (Fiji time) Nauru’s President, Lionel Aingimea says the University of the South Pacific is thriving, despite Fiji not providing grant funding. When Islands Business asked
U.S funding tapped for Pacific undersea cable after China rebuffed
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) will tap a U.S funding facility to construct a Pacific undersea communications cable, two sources told Reuters, after rejecting a Chinese company-led proposal that was deemed a
Pacific events this week
What’s on in the Pacific Islands region this week: Pacific Internet Governance Forum 2021 The Pacific Internet Governance Forum 2021 (PacIGF) is a regional event that brings together stakeholders from around the
FIji Business Briefs: SPX, Fiji Airways, Thunderstruck
It is reporting season at the South Pacific Stock Exchange, with ATH, Communications Fiji, Kontiki Growth Fund and FijiCare all reporting profits. Plus Fiji Airways celebrates 70 years and exploration is underway at
World Rugby welcomes Pacific teams to Super Pacific Rugby 2022
The Super Pacific Rugby format for 2022 has been confirmed with Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua making up an exciting 12-team line-up. The decision was made following a detailed financial, performance and commercial
Bainimarama condemns nuclear testing “atrocities”
Commemorating the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has spoken out about the health and environmental legacies of Cold War nuclear testing in the Pacific. As Pacific Islands
Impact Investment: Taking ownership to future-proof the Pacific post-COVID
COVID-19 has been a stark reminder of how our economic, social and environmental systems are closely intertwined and dependent on each other. The pandemic has deeply affected the economies of many Pacific nations. How
Australian Agricultural Visa: an end to the PLS?
Yesterday the Australian government announced that a new Australian Agriculture visa is to be created in addition to the Pacific Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme. The new announcement is significant,
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
“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
