Additional $252m needed to resuscitate economy, says Tonga PM
Tonga’s Prime Minister acknowledged the strong commitment of Tonga’s development partners and donors and said financial assistance is still needed to ensure a prosperous Tonga, on opening the Development
Biden administration to reduce financial burden on U.S territories
The Biden administration has announced new efforts to reduce the financial burden on the U.S territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and U.S Virgin Islands. The U.S.
Minister Conroy wants AusAID to regain prominence within DFAT
Australia’s International Development Minister Pat Conroy says he wants development specialists to “take over” the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), in another sign he’s intent on
PNG 2023 budget passed unanimously
Papua New Guinea’s 2023 National Budget presented by the Minister for Treasury Ian Ling-Stuckey was finally passed by the Parliament very late on Friday afternoon with an absolute majority of 86 votes – Nil
Commercial banks in PNG oppose new increase in tax
Two major commercial banks in Papua New Guinea have opposed the 45 percent tax on the banking sector to come into effect next year. BSP Financial Group Limited chief executive officer, Robin Fleming said as BSP
PNG Govt pass US$6.8 billion budget
Another year, another record deficit budget for Papua New Guinea. On Tuesday, Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey presented his long awaited 2023 money plan to Parliament – with a price tag of K24 billion (US$6.8 billion).
Opinion: Labor reduces but does not eliminate Coalition aid cuts
This year’s aid budget (2022-23) has been increased from $4.55 billion under the Coalition to $4.65 billion under Labor. There are bigger increases in the forward estimate years (2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26),
Australia boosts defence, Pacific diplomacy spending in budget
Australia on Tuesday pledged increased defence spending and efforts to firm up diplomatic ties with neighbouring Southeast Asian and Pacific nations as it seeks to counter China’s growing economic and strategic
Palau’s 2023 Budget law passed
Palau budget FY 2023 was signed into law on September 22 at the Ngerulmud Capital rotunda after a brief signing ceremony. Senate and House of Delegates worked round the clock to get it ironed out in time for President
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
Skilled workers shortage worry
A growing shortage of skilled workers in Fiji is causing concern among members of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), and they want Government to increase the number of countries covered under its
Regional airlines “in the dark” on Fiji’s new airport management deal
The Fiji Government’s controversial decision to award the management contract for Airports Fiji Ltd (AFL) to its national airline, Fiji Airways, has intensified fears that a “conflict of interest”
Fiji is fully booked until October
Fiji’s 13,000 hotel room- inventory is fully booked until October, signalling a strong post-COVID comeback for the tourism sector. Speaking at a Reserve Bank of Fiji-organised post-budget discussion, Fiji Hotel
Tonga Parliament passes largest annual budget
Tonga’s Parliament passed the 2022-2023 annual budget this week, reports Tonga Wires. Totalling $764.7 million pa’anga (US$328.36 million), it is the Kingdom’s largest ever annual budget. According to the Tonga
Additional COVID funding postpones aid cuts
Faced with the prospect of another cut to aid while the COVID-19 pandemic continues – and in some ways intensifies in our region – the government has again reached for the “temporary and targeted” lever to avoid
A fraying lifeline: chronically under-funded and lacking resources
Pacific islands health care faces the crisis of a lifetime The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t just highlighted the Pacific’s fragile health systems. It’s amplified the central role that public health plays in all
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
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
Fiji, the World Bank and debt
When Fiji’s Minister for Economy delivers his budget address this evening many eyes will be on figures around the country’s debt-to GDP ratios. This week, Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers were preoccupied
Cook Islands passes budget
Cook Islands parliament has passed what Prime Minister Mark Brown has dubbed “a budget of revival.” The US$212 million budget includes an additional US7.7 million allocation for government agencies than was
Aust gives another F$42.5 million to Fiji for budget support
Australia has supplied Fiji with direct budget support, vaccines, rations for front liners, funds for NGO emergency food distribution, medical supplies including thermal guns and other forms of support in responding to
Worry for PNG business leaders
At a brief sitting of Papua New Guinea’s parliament in November – with all Opposition MPs absent – the James Marape government passed its 2021 Budget, before abruptly adjourning until next April. Treasurer Ian
Australia boosts Pacific aid allocation
The Australian Federal Budget delivered last night has increased aid to the Pacific. An extra A$211 million has been allocated to COVID-19 response in the form of grants, agreed in negotiations with recipient countries,
