Westpac stays, so what’s next?
Westpac’s October announcement that it no longer planned to sell its remaining businesses in Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and its statement to the Australian Stock Exchange that it would increase investment in its
Economy
Fiji Business Briefs: ANZ survey, Drua sponsorship deal, Raine & Horne reopens
ANZ business survey: Turnover up, profitability down ANZ’s Fiji Business Survey for Q3 2023 has reported a positive upturn in turnover, with 42% of surveyed firms noting higher demand compared to the previous quarter.
ADB approves financing package to boost Solomon Islands’ education
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday said it has approved a financing package of US$45.7 million to boost senior secondary education and climate resilience in the Solomon Islands. “The Solomon Islands Senior
Nations can look elsewhere: Micronesia ex-leader urges U.S. to keep funds pledge
Months after exiting office, the former president of the Federated States of Micronesia has urged American lawmakers to keep their promise of approving funds for the Compact of Free Association (Cofa) pact, warning that
Porgera will fix FX, economy: PNG PM Marape
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape says once the Porgera gold mine comes on next year, it will help fix the country’s economy, especially the shortage of foreign exchange (forex). “Our people need the
New Caledonia passes first sugar tax bill
New Caledonia’s Congress has endorsed, for the first time, a new “flexible” tax on sugar products. The tax, in its initial stages, targets a first list of sugary food products. During the Congress
K27.3 billion budget tabled in PNG
The Papua New Guinea Government Tuesday handed down a whopping K27.3 billion (US$7.3 billion) 2024 Budget. Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey when presenting the Budget in Parliament described it as a responsible budget that is
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
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
Opinion: Australia should listen to PNG not the IMF
In late 2021, following the first phase of a review of the 2000 Central Banking Act (CBA) by an independent advisory group, the Papua New Guinea parliament unanimously amended the CBA. Among other things, the amendments
Tonga did not sign the Samoa Agreement
Tonga did not sign the Samoa Agreement, that took place in Samoa last week. Tonga’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, said that there is a requirement in order to formalise Tonga’s
