Loloma Fiji: A labour of love
The makers of the Loloma skin care range liken the experience of unboxing its product to opening a husk to find a coconut inside, with its distinctive golden ball packaging resembling its key ingredient, coconut oil. It
Business
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%.
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
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
Vanuatu at 41
Vanuatu was again able to throw the need for social distancing and mask-wearing to the wind as its people sang and danced to celebrate 41 years of Independence on July 30. Unlike its neighbours—Australia, New
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
Nurturing the seeds of MSMEs
Economists used to say that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were the backbone of Pacific Island countries. But as the impact of COVID-related border closures deepens almost 18 months into the crisis,
Fiji’s shot in the arm for MSMEs
The Fiji government’s latest budget included a F$200 million (US$94 million) financial package for MSMEs to be rolled out by the Reserve Bank of Fiji and commercial banks. The Fiji Development Bank’s new CEO, Saud
Weaving a path to sustainabiliy
As founder and creative director, Jessica Cassell’s ambition for Papua New Guinea’s Bilum & Bilas is for the venture to be well-known internationally as “a brand that has best practice around in working with
Nurturing the seeds of Pacific MSMEs
Many new MSMEs have sprung up in the wake of COVID, but how can they remain
Fiji’s shot in the arm for MSMEs
The Fiji government’s latest budget included a F$200 million (US$94 million) financial package for MSMEs to be rolled out by the Reserve Bank of Fiji and commercial
Weaving a path to sustainability
As founder and creative director, Jessica Cassell’s ambition for Papua New Guinea’s Bilum & Bilas is for the venture to be well-known internationally as “a brand that has best practice around in working with
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
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
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
Fiji real estate: A Buyer’s market
The pandemic has flattened Fiji’s real estate industry, with the Reserve Bank reporting that commercial bank lending to real estate had plummeted 31.3% (or F$24million) for the year ending March 2021. Similarly,
Fiji real estate: A buyer’s market
By Samantha Magick The pandemic has flattened Fiji’s real estate industry, with the Reserve Bank reporting that commercial bank lending to real estate had plummeted 31.3% (or F$24million) for the year ending March
Being a consultant in the Pacific
By Ken Katafono We are going through extraordinary times. It hasn’t been lost on me that we’ve been fortunate during this time to continue to work and have a demand for our skills and experience. So, I thought I’d
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.