Page 6 - IB December 2022

Briefs Briefs

American Samoa
A new submarine cable between Samoa and American French Polynesia
Samoa has been agreed, to further enhance Internet and Two former government ministers in French Polynesia have
communications connectivity. The MOU states that the cable formed a new political party ahead of the territory’s 2023
will run between Upolu and Tutuila and allow access to the elections. The Ia Ora Te Nuna’a party was launched by
15,000km Hawaiki cable that connects New Zealand to the Nicole Bouteau and Teva Rohfritsch, who resigned from the
west coast of the United States. ruling Tapura Huiraatira party three months ago. Tahiti-infos
reports the new leaders’ party will focus on social justice and
sustainable development issues.

Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
Visitor arrivals are steadily rising, according to the Marianas
Visitors Authority. Although Japanese tourist numbers are Guam
low compared to pre-COVID times, statistics show Koreans Guam has recorded over 410 COVID-related fatalities as of
(52,811) as well as people from Guam (7,461) and the December 12. According to the nation’s Joint Information
United States (5,949) make up the majority of visitors to the Center, the 410th COVID-related death was an 81-year-old
Marianas, as of September FY2022. woman who was fully vaccinated without a booster shot, had
underlying health conditions and tested positive for the virus
on August 4. Since January 2020, Guam has recorded 49,235
cases and 368,088 vaccines have been administered, WHO
Cook Islands
A new direct flight between Rarotonga and Honolulu is stated.
expected to commence in May 2023. The flights provided
by Hawaiian Airlines will operate on weekends. Cook Islands
Tourism Council President Liana Scott says, “the direct flights Kiribati
not only connect Hawaii to the Cook Islands but opens up Air Kiribati Limited received a new DHC–6 Twin Otter aircraft
to several other ports that Hawaiian Airline services.” Over at the Bonriki International Airport on December 12. Minister
100,762 arrivals into the nation have been recorded as of for Information, Communications and Transport, Tekeeua
October 2022; mostly returning residents and work-permit Tarati, said the purchase of new aircraft is part of the support
holders. for reform to the domestic air services of the national airline.
Another aircraft is due to arrive next year. The aircraft’s price
tag is US$5.2 million, Tarati highlighted.

Federated States of Micronesia
The Embassy of China to FSM has donated US$190,000
from its discretionary fund for the purpose of constructing Marshall Islands
a gymnasium on Satawan Atoll in the State of Chuuk. The Two naturalised Marshallese citizens pleaded guilty on
planned gymnasium is one of several infrastructure projects December 2 to conspiring to violate the US Foreign Corrupt
in the FSM financed by the Chinese Embassy, including Utwe Practices Act by bribing Marshall Islands government officials.
Gymnasium. Yan, 51, and Zhou, 35, are charged with three counts each of
violating the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and two counts
of money laundering. Both are awaiting sentencing and could
Fiji potentially face 3 to 5 years’ imprisonment.
Fiji’s government has extended the harvesting and
trading period for beche-de-mer following requests from
coastal communities. Former Minister for Fisheries, Semi
Koroilavesau, said the sale of beche-de-mer has enabled Nauru
FJ$17 million (US$7.67 million) in direct cash transactions Nauru has been chosen to host the next Regional Aviation
to be paid to resource owners to rebuild from the impacts Ministers Meeting, which is scheduled for November 2023.
of COVID-19. The harvesting window has been extended to Nodel Neneiya, Secretary of the Ministry of Transport
February 2, 2023, while the trade and export period has been of Nauru, says the meeting will mark a “significant step
extended to April 2. towards aviation growth through regional collaboration and

6 Islands Business, December 2022