Cook Islands tourism industry faces spectre of fewer visitors
Cook Islands Tourism operators are preparing for a quiet few months, as visitor numbers drop as predicted. In November there were 10,278 visitors to the Cook Islands, a drop of about 24 per cent compared to October
Palau businesses likely to participate in military tourism
For the first time, the U.S. MWR (Military Morale Welfare & Recreational Centre) has reached out to Palau businesses to discuss opportunities to participate in military tourism. The Joint Region Marianas Warfighter
Samoa in cartel competition discussions
Samoan competition law enforcement officials will be among others from across the Pacific in Auckland with support from the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) for a roundtable discussion ahead of the
Fiji marks first Corporate Bond Offer under new regulations
Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL) last week opened a Wholesale Corporate Bond offer of F$30 million, stating it marks a major step forward in efforts to diversify the nation’s financial market. It is the first bond offer
500 Fijian families to sign up for parametric insurance cover
500 families in two maritime islands in Fiji will this month join the latest parametric insurance product trial, launched in October by Tower Insurance, the third local insurance provider to offer parametric insurance
The Pandemic, War and the Effect on Island Travel
It’s an early Tuesday morning in the seaside town of Levuka. A fish salesman is busy opening his doors to suppliers as they bring in their catch after the night’s fishing. A shop owner scurries around preparing to
Fiji Kava prepares to rebrand as The Calmer Co
Fiji Kava will rebrand as The Calmer Co and complete its acquisition of ready-to-drink kava brand Leilo after spending the September quarter preparing for the strategic milestones, reports The Market Herald. The renamed
Fisheries businesses off to Mauritius
Seven members of the business community across the region have been selected for a business peer-to-peer exchange programme in Mauritius this month. Pacific Islands Forum Director of Programmes & Initiatives, Zarak
FijiKava eyes U.S. expansion after acquiring Leilo
FijiKava has executed an agreement to acquire ready-to-drink kava brand Leilo in the United States. The company will acquire 100 percent of Leilo stock in a share swap transaction, which will give it access to Leilo’s
PNG leaders to declare business transactions
Papua New Guinea Ombudsman Commission (OC) has reviewed its annual statement forms, meaning that a total of 452 leaders will now have to declare all their business transactions. PNG Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen
Samoan tuna company working to reestablish exports post-COVID
Apia Export Fish Packers, a Samoa-based tuna fishing company that employs only local residents, is working to get back in the export game post-COVID. Apia Export Fish Packers Co-Owner Steve Cleverly told SeafoodSource
Solomon Islands tuna production rises despite COVID
Tuna production in the Solomon Islands increased this year despite a significantly smaller fish catch. The latest Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) quarterly report shows that the total catch dropped by 22% due to
Fiji Tourism looks north
As Fiji reopens to the world, Tourism Fiji’s top priority is securing new markets. “We were very serious about what we were doing over there,” says Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill about Fiji Airways’ recent
Economic diversification is key for Fiji
Fiji’s recovery is good; however it needs to diversify its economy said Dr Kishti Sen, ANZ Pacific Economist, during his visit to Fiji last week. “Our expectations towards the end of last year was that the tourism
PNG facing downgrade, says Popoitai
Frustrated by the lack of prosecution of financially-motivated crime cases, Bank of PNG has warned that the country’s global standing and cost of banking could be affected as a result. Bank of Papua New Guinea acting
Fisheries important to recover Pacific economies
Pacific Fisheries Ministers have identified maximising value from their fisheries as key to supporting the economic recovery from COVID-19. This was raised by delegates at the annual 19th Forum Fisheries Committee
PNG remain neutral with issues in the APEC region: Marape
Papua New Guineans will not be caught up in the fight between the Eastern and Western countries but will maintain its stand on being friends to all and enemy to none. Prime Minister, James Marape made this known when
Supply chain chaos and cooperation
Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers and officials have been advised to consider reviewing export taxes and tax credits to stimulate trade in the region. A review commissioned by the Forum says all sectors,
Kina Bank PNG announced a K45.6 million profit
Papua New Guinea’s Kina Bank has announced a K45.6 million (US$12.9 million) net profit after tax, as of August 29, 2022. The Board said that this is an increase of 15%, compared to the prior corresponding period
The Pacific e-commerce portal: Getting Pacific businesses online
A new Pacific e-commerce portal has been launched to help businesses transition from purely physical operation to online trading. The portal was launched by the Pacific Islands Forum yesterday, and includes
More Pacific collaboration to address tax challenges: PITAA
Gender inclusion, climate change and little capacity to digitalise processes are some emerging tax challenges faced in the Asia-Pacific region, heads of tax administrations have heard. Delegates to the Pacific Islands
ANZ expects Fiji’s “high” liquidity to ease from next year
Liquidity in Fiji’s banking system shattered the F$2.5 billion mark at the end of July, notching another historic high and maintaining a trend that began in January this year. And the word from a major bank
Ocean Link upgrades 4G networks in Kiribati
A mobile phone company, Ocean Link Limited (OLL) has started a major mobile network 4G upgrade and coverage improvement on South Tarawa. A statement from Ocean-Link said the mobile network 4G upgrade started early this
