Page 9 - IB April 2022

Whispers Whispers

ing his business class flight displeased ing that deadline, and the company’s
his fellow passengers. executives could face jail time if it isn’t
paid. Digicel’s top PNG officials, includ-
Digicel – PNG lock horns ing its CEO left PNG in early April.
Who will run Digicel PNG after the ink
dries on Telstra’s acquisition of the com- Solomons, China and the Pacific Front Page Pte Limited
pany? That transaction is being compli- Pacific Islands Forum leaders are GPO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands.
cated by a so-called supertax that has scheduled to meet in Fiji 7-9 June and Tel: +679 9719660
been levied on Digicel and Bank South the recently initialed security agree- Email: marketing@islandsbusiness.com
Pacific (BSP) by the PNG government, ment between Solomon Islands and Circulation & Distribution
although Telstra says it will go ahead. China will no doubt be on the minds subs@islandsbusiness.com
Digicel says it’s considering its legal of many, if not on the official agenda, Finance
options and continues to challenge the Organisers are hoping for a face-to-face finance@islandsbusiness.com
one-off 350 million kina tax, but PNG’s event, which could allow some talk on
Treasurer says the company is being the sidelines about the implications of Fiji stockists
“mischievous” and that it is “bullying” the agreement, which has generated Amy St Pharmacy - Amy St, Toorak, Suva
a small country. The Australian Financial huge amounts of analysis and angst Dominion Bookshop - BSP Life Building Arcade, Suva
Review reports that a request has been in Solomon Islands, Australia, New
made to Australian PM Scott Morrison to Zealand and the US, but very little from Foska Stationery & Gift Shop - Digicel House, Nabua
speak to his PNG counterpart about the Solomon Islands’ regional neighbours to Grand Eastern Hotel - Labasa
possibility of getting the tax waived, date. There are Whispers that China is Hot Bread Kitchen - Damodar City, Suva; LICI building,
Butt St, Suva; Namaka, Nadi; Rajendra’s Foodtown Complex,
although election campaigns in both also planning a high level Pacific tour, in Valelevu; Namoli Avenue, Lautoka; Savusavu.
countries may thwart this plan. The the wake of similar visits from Australia, Kundan Singh Supermarkets - Pacific Harbour and
original deadline to pay the tax was New Zealand, US and Japanese minis- Tamavua
March 31. Digicel is now liable for an ters and officials. Methodist Bookstore - Stewart St, Suva
additional 50 million kina fine for miss- Nausori Airport Kiosk - Nausori Airport, Nausori
Palm Court Bistro - QBE Arcade, Victoria Parade, Suva
Post of the month: Post Fiji - General Post Office, Suva; Nausori; Nakasi;
Sigatoka; Nadi; Lautoka; Ba; Rakiraki; Tavua; Labasa.
Raiwaqa Bakery - Ratu Sukuna Rd, Nasese, Suva
Samabula Drug Store - Samabula, Suva
The Projects Collective - Colova Estate (The Beachouse),
Coral Coast, Korolevu
USP Book Centre - USP Laucala Campus, Suva
Vuda Marina General Store - Lautoka
Yees Xpressmart - Unit S22, Port Denarau, Nadi
Regional
Bestseller - Guam (Micronesia Mall, Dededo & Guam
Premier Outlet, Tamuning)
Bestseller - Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Boroko Foodworld – Boroko, PNG
Friendly Islands Bookshop – Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Hachette Pacifique – Papeete, French Polynesia
Heritage Park Hotel – Honiara, Solomon Islands
Naoero Postal Service Corporation (Nauru Post) – Civic
Centre, Aiwo District, Nauru
Nouvelle Messageries Caledoniennes de Presse – Noumea,
New Caledonia
Pacific Supplies – Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Robert Reimers Enterprises – Majuro, Marshall Islands
Samoa Stationery and Books - Apia, Samoa
South Seas Traders – Alofi, Niue
Stop Press Officeworks – Port Vila, Vanuatu
Yap Cooperative Association – Colonia, YAP, FSM

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