Fiji, the World Bank and debt
When Fiji’s Minister for Economy delivers his budget address this evening many eyes will be on figures around the country’s debt-to GDP ratios. This week, Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers were preoccupied
Fiji
Fiji COVID cases hit 1200 in a day
As Fiji’s daily COVID-19 cases hit 1,200 in a 24 hour period, Fiji’s top health official is looking to bring in more retired health workers, recent graduates and civil servants to help boost medical and health
Mixed response to Fiji’s ‘no jab, no job’ order
The Fiji government’s direction that all civil servants and private sector employees receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by August 1st has met with a mixed reaction. Last week Prime Minister Voreqe
Olympic travel a big challenge for some Pacific Island teams
Famous athletes in sports like tennis and golf heading to the Tokyo Olympics will probably arrive in Japan at the front of the plane. It’s a style to which the athletes of the Pacific Islands are unaccustomed.
Coca Cola Fiji moves to buy Fiji brewer outright
Coca Cola Fiji Limited (CCEP Fiji) has moved to buy brewer Paradise Beverages Fiji outright. This follows CCEP Fiji’s acquisition of 57,323 (equivalent to 0.55%) ordinary shares in PBF from Platinum Insurance
Rugby sevens pools announced for Tokyo 2020 Olympics
The pools for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic rugby sevens competitions have been confirmed as players, teams and fans countdown to the kick-off at Tokyo Stadium on 26 July. The 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams have been
Fiji crowned Oceania 7s champions
Fijian 7s team was crowned the PacificAus Sports Oceania 7s champions after remaining undefeated and beating the All Black 7s 17-7 in their final match in Townsville. Coach Gareth Baber tried various combinations during
Little light on power sale
With Fiji caught in the darkness of a descending cloud of COVID-19, its government has pushed through the sale of a large portion of the national energy company to a Japanese consortium. In its initial announcement, the
Behind the story
Ruben Vulawalu returned to his village of Drue, Kadavu after 20 years for his story, Between a rock and a hard place. He writes about the experience of seeing the devastation caused by Keni and Cyclone Harold. It was
Between a rock and a hard place
In the Fijian village of Drue in Kadavu, locals face a life-changing decision: to remain at the mercy of the rising ocean, or move their entire community to higher ground. Sixty-three-year-old stroke survivor
Violence against women in Pacific politics
As with their sisters around the world, many women in the Pacific Islands are victims of violence. While much of this violence occurs within the family, a socio-cultural environment accustomed to violence against women
PS looks to 80% vaccination rate before lifting of restrictions
Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Health says he’s looking at an 80% vaccination rate before restrictions on movement, gatherings and workplaces can be further relaxed. Currently 230,000 people have received their
Aust gives another F$42.5 million to Fiji for budget support
Australia has supplied Fiji with direct budget support, vaccines, rations for front liners, funds for NGO emergency food distribution, medical supplies including thermal guns and other forms of support in responding to
USP Council Ethics committee to look at leadership allegations
The University of the South Pacific Council has agreed that allegations levelled against Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson and the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, Mahmood Khan, be referred to an Ethics Committee.
Uncertain times for Fiji-listed companies
Fiji’s second COVID-19 wave continues to batter the economy, and a series of market updates released by companies listed on the South Pacific Stock Exchange make for sobering reading. None of the listed companies are
Pacific WTO members urged to support vaccine move
Pacific islands members of the World Trade Organisation are being urged to support a proposal designed to make COVID-19 vaccines more available to developing countries. Fiji and Vanuatu have already joined as sponsors
Fiji’s Reserve Bank cuts select interest rates
The Reserve Bank of Fiji has reduced interest rates in a bid to reduce borrowing costs for businesses and households. Commercial banks and licensed credit institutions operating in Fiji can now access funding from the
Fiji GDP down 9.7%: Reserve Bank
The Reserve Bank of Fiji reports that for the first nine months of the current fiscal year, Fiji’s government recorded a net deficit of F$905.0 million (-9.7% of GDP). Government expenditure ($2,256 million) almost
Putting Fiji first; a Chiefly sacrifice
By Netani Rika When Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara sailed over the horizon to his chiefly home on Lakeba in May 2000, it was perhaps the most incongruous exit of any Fijian politician. As the patrol boat Kiro carried
Opinion: COVID-19, the Western Front and Stealing Thunder
By Dennis Rounds Faced with a second COVID-19 lockdown, just 12 months after the first, I’ve convinced myself that I now have a better understanding of the term “Western Front”. During the First World War, a large
Delving into digital: Kina finds its sweet spot
The entry of Papua New Guinea’s Kina bank into the fairly competitive Fiji market later this year will bring a range of digital products that should stimulate further innovation in the sector and more choice for
Luve ni yali: Lost son of a seasonal worker
Luve ni yali, a newborn, was issued a fresh certificate of identity by a Pacific diplomatic mission in Canberra so that he could be repatriated home with his mother, a temporary migrant worker who fell pregnant while in
Collected conversations: Iliesa Samu’s ‘They Said’
By Iliesa Tora First it was Sandalwood Blood. Now it’s They Said. Two books in a space of seven years, authored by a Fijian in Tonga, Iliesa Samu Lala. Now 72 years old, the almost-7-foot giant of a man’s