Page 5 - Islands Business September 2023

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Managing Director / Publisher
Netani Rika
Change, especially when it’s about moving from one distinct era into another, can
Editor be an exciting space to get into. And when it’s coupled with newfound freedom, the
Richard Naidu feeling can be outright exhilarating, even heady.

Editorial Consultant There was jubilation unlike anything that had been seen before in Fiji, when we
Samantha Magick
emerged from the general elections of December 2022. The 16-year era of Frank
Bainimarama was over. Fiji was free.

Eight months later, with the initial excitement wearing off, there’s a lot of hard work
Designer staring Fiji in the face. Do its leaders have what it takes to truly move the country into
Dick Lee this long-elusive space called democracy? And the will to be rid of the old demons?

Contributors The challenge is similar when it comes to facing up to the questions of economic
Anthony Bergin growth in the region. Many of the underlying and persistent issues have been around
Maurice Brownjohn for decades. Except now, Pacific Island nations are faced with dire warnings of
Nic Maclellan how the climate crisis will create an additional burden on our economies. Aid and
technical agencies are trying to find solutions to the old structural weaknesses and
Kevin McQuillan
create efficiency. The warning is clear. There is no longer room to delay. If the cost of
Kite Pareti
inaction has been heavy so far, it is going to be catastrophic now.
Prerna Priyanka
Rimon Rimon
You will find coverage of both these challenges in this issue, as well as analysis from
Maria Sahib
the recent visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to the Pacific, updates on
seabed mining talks and the Fukushima radioactive water discharge from Japan, and
a celebration of the ‘Papua New Guinean’ Matilda, Mary Fowler.
Islands Business is published monthly by There is change too, here at Islands Business. I am excited to be taking over the
Front Page Pte Limited editorship of the publication from long-time colleague, Samantha Magick, who’s
Editorial & Advertising Offices guided the magazine, and its sister publications and websites through a time of great
GPO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands change.
Tel: +679 9719660
While she divests her IB responsibilities to me, she will continue to support the
Emails
Editorial: editor@islandsbusiness.com magazine, while also focusing on developing our other publications. We will be
Subscriptions: subs@islandsbusiness.com working together to ensure the Islands Business brand remains a trustworthy source
Advertising: marketing@islandsbusiness.com of news, views, and analysis across the Pacific.
Happy reading!

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Printhouse Pacific Pte Limited, Suva, Fiji Islands

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