Climate, not God
IT did not take long for people in Fiji to point to Tropical Cyclone Winston as having some connections to a wrathful God seeking to punish people. On social media, from pulpits and in the yaqona circles the link was
Fiji
Fiji’s rice producer welcomes Korean investor
Fiji’s sole but struggling rice producer, Rewa Rice Limited has welcomed the entry of Grace Roads Limited, a South Korean investor built on Christians’ apocalyptic principles, into the local rice industry. A
Ramrakha, a son of Fiji
Former Fiji politician KC Ramrakha, ran foul of the Indiandominated National Federation Party during the faction fighting of 1977. He speaks to ISLANDS BUSINESS about politics, sugar and life. PART TWO The kind that
Economic growth forecast despite stagnant political climate.
THE Fijian economy is expected to grow this year while the political climate, barring any traumatic upheavals, will remain largely stagnant and unchanged. According to the Asian Development Bank’s Pacific Economic
SAVING SUGAR
Action for change WHEN the Fijian Prime Minister recently stood up at the recent International Sugar Organisations meeting in London and declared “we do not intend to give up on sugar cane in Fiji,” he was
CYBER FRAUD A crime without borders
FIJI, as one of the South Pacific’s most developed economies, is fast becoming a prime target for “cyber thieves” across the Globe. According to the Fiji Intelligence Unit (FIU), in just two years,
El Nino It’sNot Over
FROM the highlands of Papua New Guinea in the western Pacific to the salad bowl on the southern coast of Fiji’s main island in the central Pacific, the long spell of dry weather is taking its toll. Cash crops and
A bull in the China shop
Spain and China: Rising threats to regional tuna stocks THE harbour in Suva’s capital is dotted with boats – long line fishing vessels flying the Chinese flag – tied up for months, waiting for the
SEDITION Arrests and denials
A COMPANY of Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) soldiers has joined local police investigations into allegations of militarytype training in a remote mountainous area in Fiji’s Western Division. The
Former Fiji army chief allays fears of rift
THE former Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, BrigadierGeneral Mosese Tikoitoga, has poured cold water on any suggestion of a rift between the military and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s Fiji
Fiji TV strips to bare minimum
DIGICEL has emerged as a front-runner for the purchase of Fiji Television’s 23 channels under the Sky Pacific platform. Fiji TV chairman and CEO of Fijian Holdings Limited, Nouzab Fareed, said a non-disclosure
Roads, water, education clear winners in Fiji’s US$1.7b Budget
Fiji’s government of Frank Bainimarama is continuing with its expansionary economic policy in the $3.3 billion (US$1.69 billion) budget for 2015 it handed down in Fiji’s Parliament on November 21st. Its
Security stays tight after win
Despite a landslide election win and claims of nationwide popularity, the security cordon around Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has not weakened. In fact, once it became obvious that he had won the
Bainimarama IB’s Pacific Person Of The Year
Some 2000 years ago the world lay at the feet of the Roman dictator Augustus. That is of course, the world as it was known to Rome at the time. With the battle of Actium ended, his cruelties became more judicious and he
Audit report reveals worst kept secret
After eight years of autocratic rule, Fiji finally has a Parliament which has received a backlog of reports from the Office of the Auditor General. Economist Professor Wadan Narsey studies the report and discusses its
Forum allows Fiji back into regional group
But Fiji wants Australia, New Zealand out Moments after the magazine posted on its Facebook page the announcement by the Pacific Islands Forum that Fiji’s suspension from it has been lifted, an avid reader posted
Bainimarama storms home with massive victory
Party wins political fight with rugby campaign-style approach Voting in Fiji’s 2014 General Election signaled overwhelming public support for incumbent Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and gave legitimacy
Bainimarama offers more of the same
If the people of Fiji had expected a smooth, less confrontational political life after the September elections, they will be disappointed. One day after being sworn in as Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama was at his
Leadership choice crucial to Fiji poll result
Fiji’s September 17 General Election will be decided primarily on the quality of political leadership on offer rather than on political platforms and manifestos. Media-driven interviews and general political
Fiji prepares for first poll under new constitution
The countdown to Fiji’s first General Election under its new Constitution is well underway with the country’s long-established political parties vying to out-maneuver 2006 coup leader, and incumbent Prime
Fiji fears force deal with EU to save sugar industry
Viability hangs on interim EPA Fears of the collapse of Fiji’s multi-million dollar sugar industry prompted its government late last month to opt for an Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (IEPA) with the
Multi-million dollar Fiji airport upgrade
NZ company wins $80 million contract Nadi International Airport will receive a massive $102 million facelift to give it an attractive and modern look as part of plans to create a striking impression of the South
The rush to Fiji
So much to do, so little time, but Fiji’s Elections Office is optimistic By first June, the countdown clock on the Fijian Election Office’s official website would read 107 days to poll day. That website
