PACER Plus nears completion.
GIVEN that world trade in 2013-2014 amounted to US$18 trillion, increasing the Pacific’s share by a mere 0.1 represents at least $18 billion worth of additional trade between Pacific Island Countries and other
Business
Internet revolution on the wing
TELECOMMUNICATIONS and Internet revolution in Palau hinges on funding opportunities and political backing. Palau, with the Federated States of Micronesia earlier has formed a Micro-Pal Fiber Optic Joint Committee last
$ lure at tuna talks
THE biggest tuna industry gathering in the Western and Central Pacific region, the prestigious Pacific Tuna Forum is on again, set to hold its 5th gathering at the luxurious Sofitel Resort, Denarau, Nadi, Fiji, from
NO to Pacific-US trade pact
PNG accuses Forum of ‘misleading’ island nations HOPES for a free trade agreement between the islands of the Pacific and the United States were not enthusiastically embraced by senior officials of the
CFL: A Pacific ‘homegrown’ media success story
ON July 5, 2015, Fiji and the Pacific’s largest commercial radio broadcast company, Communications Fiji Limited (CFL), achieved a milestone, marking 30 years of “homegrown” success. The company has
Cruise options bring hope
Bougainville looks beyond mining to tourism WITH increasing pressure from local landowners on environmental issues, Bougainville is looking for options which will allow conservation of its natural resources. Until the
Nauru becomes Pacific Central
Airline gateway to the Northern atolls THE high cost of travel to the Northern Pacific has been a major impediment to the development of a real tourism market in the area despite the huge potential for diving and
Troubled Momi project springs back to life
Fletcher to built Marriott resort The troubled Momi Bay Resort Development Project is making a comeback seven years after it fell apart due to financial turmoil which landed the Fiji National Provident Fund in hot
Malaysians take over PNG palm oil giant
Pacific plantation yields record surge London Stock Exchange listed company and Papua New Guinea’s largest agribusiness, New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NPOL) will have a new owner. After two months of intense
More US immigration woes for the Northern Marianas
Russians, Chinese target visa loop-holes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has received a five-year extension of a critical programme allowing it continued access to some 10,000 foreign workers up to 2019
PNA decisions painful but necessary
Several issues to iron out in Honiara We should be so lucky to have the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) having such problems like this—what to do with US$93 million and how to distribute this pot of money
PNG aims for balance budget
Papua New Guinea Government has handed down yet again another historic budget – a record K16.2 billion (US$6.19b) in comparison with three previous biggest budgets of US$5.7b in 2014, US$4.9b in 2013, and US$4.01b
World Bank leads charge for reform
Plans attempt to lift lifestyle Imagine a region where mobile phones and internet access are as common as public buses. Also for a moment picture a region where words like obesity, poverty, illiteracy and gender
Vulnerable states qualify for special privileges
Assistance packages support lending rates Graduation of least developed countries is no conspiracy by bigger and wealthier developed states to absolve them from helping countries that are in need of special assistance,
Time runs out for Samoan airline
Board decides against extension request Fiji’s Air Transport Licensing Board has made a startling revelation surrounding American Samoa based airline Inter Island Airways’ much awaited entry into
More US immigration woes for the Northern Marianas
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has received a five-year extension of a critical programme allowing it continued access to some 10,000 foreign workers up to 2019 for its recovering economy. But it still
Fiji fears force deal with EU to save sugar industry
Viability hangs on interim EPA Fears of the collapse of Fiji’s multi-million dollar sugar industry prompted its government late last month to opt for an Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (IEPA) with the
Marshall Islands move into commercial fish farming
‘Moi’ fish farms to expand The history of the Marshall Islands is littered with so many failed attempts to turn aquaculture and fish farming ideas into commercially viable businesses that it is a wonder
Japan’s Abe spurs PNG interest
Gas supplies sufficient for 25 years TWO new Japanese-initiated petrochemical plants – one each in Papua New Guinea and West Papua, Indonesia are set to pick up green lights as feasibility studies open new hopes
LNG project absorbs skilled workers in PNG
Calls for more job training Operators of Papua New Guinea’s new liquefied natural gas export company have trained nearly 10,000 locals for production and delivery roles as the region’s biggest commercial
Selling the Pacific to the world under one roof
SPTE 2014 a ‘success,’ says organisers Pacific’s national tourism offices have given thumbs up to efforts by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) to organise a regional tourism buyer and
Big construction project in Chuuk in limbo
Legal wrangle holds up road work After huge cost overruns, major delays and problems with faulty designs, the largest construction project ever undertaken in the Federated States of Micronesia is now at a standstill
10,000 foreign workers to go in the Marianas
US Labour Secretary has until July 4 “It will be a disaster,” said Juan T. Guerrero, general manager of the largest and oldest bakery in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as he ponders on the
