CNMI tourism is in ‘desperate mode’
The Commonwealth of Northern Marianas (CNMI)‘s only industry, tourism, is in a “desperate mode,” according to the officers of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association of NMI. In a meeting with members
Business
Alii Palau Airline’s inaugural flight opens a new gateway to Palau
After several delays, the Alii Palau Airline’s first flight to Palau became a reality Thursday last week. At 6:40 AM on Thanksgiving Day, 23 November 2023, Drukair, a Royal Bhutan Airline, chartered by Alii Palau
Raise PNG wage rate, says CPL founder
A prominent businessman has urged the PNG Government to increase the minimum wage to enable grassroots people to survive in these tough economic times. City Pharmacy Ltd Group founder, Sir Mahesh Patel, said the base
27 Fiji greenpreneurs graduate, receive 350k in grants
Twenty-seven micro, small and medium enterprises in Fiji have been awarded US$350,000 in grants to further develop their businesses sustainably. They are part of the Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator and Accelerator
First aircraft in Air Niugini’s new fleet arrives
Air Niugini Boeing 737-800 next generation series aircraft will service the airline’s domestic and international operations, says acting chief executive officer Gary Seddon. “We are exceptionally proud to welcome
Trends in food and beverage manufacturing
A global view Consumer concerns over cost, health and environmental sustainability are driving innovation in the global food and beverage manufacturing sector. Supply chains are being influenced by shortages of raw
From Samoa with alofa
“Our vision is to take Samoa products to the world,” says Nathan Wilson, Director of Wilex Samoa. “That was the founder, my father Tangaloa Eddie Wilson’s vision, to create a gateway for the Samoan people to get
Supporting Pacific cacao farmers
“We are chocolate and cacao manufacturers, but we call ourselves community cultural development practitioners which is what we all studied, none study chocolate making. The more beans we move, the more money goes into
Kava exports are multi-million Kina commodity, says PNG Minister
Papua New Guinea has the potential to surpass Fiji and Vanuatu in kava exports, which is becoming a multi-million Kina commodity, said International Trade and Investment Minister, Richard Maru. Maru said that kava was
Air Niugini purchase six new planes for refleet programme
“This one is for you” as pen was put to paper with the country purchasing six new Airbus A220 aircraft costing in total K1.11 billion (US$300 million) which forms part of the fleet replacement programme for Air
Fall of a Fijian trafficker exposes previous government’s blind eye to meth
The imprisonment of a prominent Fijian businessman on drug charges is just one sign of the Pacific island country’s increasing role as an international trafficking hub. Key Findings: Until recently, Aiyaz
PNG eyes China for more ‘cheaper’ loans
Cheaper loans will be a key agenda for PNG officials when Prime Minister James Marape leads a delegation of government and business leaders to China for bilateral talks next week. The Post Courier said Treasurer Ian
SPBD businesswomen lauded at annual awards
The Vodafone Arena in Suva last week was full-packed with radiant businesswomen celebrating their efforts at the 12th annual South Pacific Business Development awards. SPBD Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Greg
Fiji National Provident Fund acquires popular Garden City Complex
Fiji’s National Provident Fund has acquired the popular Garden City complex at Carpenter Street in Raiwai. The property, which sits on a freehold land area of 3 acres and 1.7 perches, is located just 2.5
Fiji and Australian Business Councils to address post COVID recovery
Government and business professionals from Fiji and Australia will convene at the 27th Australia-Fiji Business Forum in Sydney next week. After a two-year hiatus, the Australia-Fiji Business Forum will be held for the
PNG resource boom to last 30 years: Trade Minister Maru
Papua New Guinea is expecting a resource boom from next year because of at least five multi-billion kina projects in the pipeline, says International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru. “We don’t have just
Minimum wage rise increases private sector burden: Vanuatu Opposition
The newly introduced VT300 (US$2.49) minimum wage has increased the burden of the private sector, especially the small medium sized enterprises. This is one of the arguments that the Opposition bloc has cited in the
How an ex-commando trainer from Singapore is changing tourism in the Pacific
While the superpowers and regional actors jostle for influence in the Pacific Ocean, Singapore and an ex-commando trainer may play a key role in changing the tourism landscape there. In September, the new Alii Palau
The business of bilas
Caleb Jarvis’ passion for Papua New Guinean art and craft started when he lived there as a young child, surrounded by, as he describes them, historical, functional, cultural and spiritual objects. “I lived in an
Survey reveals F$2.09 billion in Fiji tourism earnings in 2022
Fiji’s tourism industry earned a total of $FJ2.09 billion (US$1.045 billion) between April and December last year, according to new survey results released this week. The Fiji 2022 Annual International Visitor Survey
China-backed AIIB secures World Bank deal
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Beijing’s answer to the World Bank, has approved one of its highest-profile international partnerships, just weeks after it was accused of being infiltrated by China’s
PNG Cannery may generate K1.2 billion
Papua New Guinea Government and corporate partner RD Corporation will start talks on a fish cannery which is expected to generate about K1.2 billion (US$335 million) in annual revenue, says Prime Minister James Marape.
Thriving stock exchange eyed in PNG
Companies are not currently obliged to list on the Papua New Guinea stock exchange (PNGX), but a thriving stock exchange in the country can act as a catalyst for broader economic growth, says chairman David Lawrence. On
Too little to avert crisis, Puma Energy received US$12.7 million of foreign exchange in PNG
Puma Energy received about US$12.7 million (about K45.8 million) of foreign exchange (FX) on Friday, but this is still not enough to buy fuel needed to address the looming shortage in Papua New Guinea, the company’s