Page 9 - IB January 2023

Whispers Whispers

Census call issue, which arose after cheques
When a United Nations Population were stopped due to alleged theft of
Fund report recently put PNG’s popu- US$46,000 by a woman who is now
lation at about 17 million, there was believed to be hiding in the Philip-
concern, and some scepticism. And it pines.
has prompted calls for a national census
to be organised as soon as possible. The Fisheries progress Front Page Pte Limited
last census was conducted in 2011, and Switzerland is the first country GPO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands.
while one was scheduled for 2021, CO- to ratify the World Trade Organisa-
VID put paid to that. It is now planned tion’s Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, Tel: +679 9719660
for next year. The UN Population Fund which Pacific Island members of Sales & Advertising
reportedly used satellite imaging to the WTO so warmly welcomed at marketing@islandsbusiness.com
arrive at its estimate, but there are the end of last year. Switzerland Circulation & Distribution
questions around how accurate that is ratified the agreement at the World subs@islandsbusiness.com
for a nation of varied terrain and largely Economic Forum in Davos. It means Finance
rural population such as PNG. There there can be no changes or ‘legal finance@islandsbusiness.com
are concerns that if the population is scrubbing’ of the text, a process
significantly higher than government some campaigners say was necessary Fiji stockists
estimates, it would affect the country’s to enable compliance at national Amy St Pharmacy - Amy St, Toorak, Suva
GDP per capita, electoral roll, public levels. Recently, the European Union Dominion Bookshop - BSP Life Building Arcade, Suva
services and development status. pledged €1 million for the Fisheries Foska Stationery & Gift Shop - Digicel House, Nabua
Funding Mechanism which forms part Ginger Kitchen, Fiji Museum
Chequed-out of the WTO agreement. It will pro-
Volunteers who worked at the North- vide grants to developing and least Grand Eastern Hotel - Labasa
Hot Bread Kitchen - Damodar City, Suva; LICI building,
ern Marianas Pacific Mini Games had a developed countries so they can Butt St, Suva; Namaka, Nadi; Rajendra’s Foodtown Complex,
nasty surprise when their reimburse- benefit from technical assistance Valelevu; Namoli Avenue, Lautoka.
ment cheques bounced when they tried and capacity-building to implement Kundan Singh Supermarkets - Pacific Harbour and
to present them. The Mini Games chair, the agreement. Tamavua
Marco Peter says they are resolving the Nausori Airport Kiosk - Nausori International Airport,
Nausori
Palm Court Bistro - QBE Arcade, Victoria Parade, Suva
Tweet of the month: Post Fiji - General Post Office, Suva; Nausori; Nakasi;
Sigatoka; Nadi; Lautoka; Ba; Rakiraki; Tavua; Labasa.
Raiwaqa Bakery - Shop 1, Ross St, Nausori
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 - Vuda Marina, Lautoka
Yees Xpressmart - Unit S22, Port Denarau, Nadi
Regional
ASCC Le Bookstore - Pago Pago, American Samoa
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
Palau Community College Bookstore - Koror, Palau
Robert Reimers Enterprises – Majuro, Marshall Islands
Samoa Stationery and Books - Apia, Samoa
South Seas Traders – Alofi, Niue
Tuvalu Post - Funafuti, Tuvalu
Vanuatu Post - Port Vila, Vanuatu
Yap Cooperative Association – Colonia, YAP, FSM

Islands Business, January 2023 9