Mountains of hydro trouble
Mountain communities in Fiji are thwarting plans by the country’s power monopoly to build a multi-million hydro power plant. The people of Nubu and Cawanisa say Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) only has itself to blame
Business
Pacific farmers have their say
Were you one of the many Pacific Islanders who spent the first few weeks of the coronavirus pandemic with soil under your nails? The introduction of lockdowns plus border closures precipitated an explosion of backyard
Minoru Nishi on business during COVID
For farmers and producers like Tonga’s Minoru Nishi, Managing Director of Nishi Trading Company, COVID-19 has been a double-edged hoe. “Our exports actually increased in terms of demand from the market, and I
Local produce, local menus
When 116 farmers in Fiji’s western division received ‘Cash for Cultivation’ from the government, Agriculture Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy told them: “We want the demand for vegetables, fresh produce,
From tree to bar to table
Kokomana is a small artisan ‘tree-to-bar’ chocolate maker and social enterprise run by Richard and Anne Markham in Savusavu, northern Fiji. The operation produces about 100 bars of high-quality chocolate
Can mining dig Fiji out of COVID hole?
Fiji’s minerals sector is tipped to lead its post-COVID economic recovery, with gold production expected to strengthen later this year and interest in gold prospecting on the rise. “The mining sector
FNPF to sell EFL shares
Barely a year after it bought a 20 percent stake in Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL), the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) is in the process of selling it. While details have yet to be announced, Islands
Tuvatu gold prospect could be Fiji’s next Vatukoula: MRD
The Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji’s Western Viti Levu is likely to be the country’s next big gold gig, potentially rivalling the size of the neighbouring Vatukoula Gold Mine, the only active gold mine
Fiji Business briefs: Pasifika Heartbeat, trade expos
Fiji’s Minister for Economy says there will no civil service pay cuts. Speaking from Singapore during an online budget consultation, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the government’s wage bill is $1.1 billion (US$500
Fiji business briefs: Reserve Bank outlook, Fiji TV, childcare opportunity costs
The Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor says Fiji could see a marginal economic recovery if borders open towards the end of the year. Ariff Ali says economic recovery will depend on fiscal support provided by the government
Sailing into the future: the decarbonisation agenda
Pacific Island nations risk being left behind in the race to decarbonise the shipping industry, despite leading the way on this issue at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Dr Peter Nuttall, who is the
