The New Zealand Pacific Business Council brings you the latest business, trade and economic updates from around the Pacific region.
TONGA: DIGICEL LAUNCHES MOBILE PHONE SERVICE IN NUKUALOFA
Tonga's new telecommunications operator, Digicel Tonga Ltd. has invested over $20 million pa'anga [US$9.8 million] to build an upgraded network in Tonga. The company's Tonga General Manager, Tanya Menzies, said they had upgraded and expanded their network right across Tongatapu, Vava'u, Ha'apai and 'Eua "to bring clear unbeatable coverage bringing mobile services to some communities for the first time." Pacific Islands Report briefs for: Friday, May 9, 2008 (Source: East-West Center, 9 May)
AUSTRALIA: PACIFIC AID HIKED UP TO $576 MILLION
Australian aid to the Pacific in 2008 to 2009 is estimated at AU$610.1 million, an increase of AU$80 from the last financial year.
The substantial increase in funding is seen as a first step towards implementing the new Pacific Partnerships for Development as set out in Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudds March 2008 Port Moresby Declaration. (Source: East-West Center)
NEW ZEALAND: MANUKAU CITY SEEKS MULTILINGUAL BYLAWS
The new chair of Manukau City's Pacific advisory committee says translating the city's bylaws into all the Pacific languages will be a priority. Newly appointed Chair Mrs. Tupou Manapori says using all Pacific languages is important in helping Pacific people to really understand bylaws and council information. (Source: East-West Center)
AMERICAN SAMOA: STAR KIST TO LAY OFF 100, COMPANY FOR SALE
The Star Kist Samoa cannery plans to lay off about 100 staff at its American Samoa plant this month. Star Kist Vice President Barry Mills said the layoffs are intended to offset the next 50 cent increase in the minimum wage due to go into effect May 25th.
Mills also confirmed that Star Kist is for sale and 11 companies have expressed interest. It's his understanding that a buyer has been selected but he was not privy to the buyer's identity. Mills says he expects the sale will go through within the next 30 days.
(Source: RNZI, 15 May)
REGION: AIDE TO REPLACE KEMPTHORNE AT INSULAR AFFAIRS
An aide to U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne has been named to serve as the new acting deputy assistant secretary for insular affairs. Douglas W. Domenech, who currently serves as Kempthorne's deputy chief of staff, will be the U.S. government's new point man for Washington's relationships with the territories and the freely associated states. He will serve in both capacities. The position was held by David Cohen from 2002 until he resigned in January 2008 to join a private law firm.
(Source: East-West Center, 13 May)
FIJI: CHINA AID SKYROCKETS SINCE 2006 COUP
Just as Western donors are trying to squeeze the rebel Fiji government, China has dramatically stepped up its aid since the coup in December 2006. In 2005 China pledged US$669,000 in aid to Fiji. In 2007 grant and loan pledges totalled US$111.7 million, which is more than half of China’s annual aid to the entire Pacific. China’s huge increase in aid represents a successful attempt by Fiji to circumvent Western pressure.
(Source: Martin Tiffany, Waikato Times, 21 May)
FIJI: FIRST INTERNET CAFÉ OPENS ON REMOTE ROTUMA
The remote island of Rotuma opened its first Internet café on 12 May. Telecom Fiji Limited's Acting CEO Taito Tabaleka said the provision of Internet services to Rotuma was no easy feat. "This is the first Connect Internet Café we have set up with the use of our satellite services, VTSat," said Tabaleka. (Source: East-West Center, 16 May)
FIJI: FIJI SUGAR, EU COMPANY SIGN $669 MILLION DEAL
Tate and Lyle, the company with which Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) signed a US$669.4 million deal for the supply of raw sugar says they look forward to continue working closely with the Fiji Sugar industry. The FSC and the Tate & Lyle signed the deal for the supply of raw sugar as preferential imports to the European Union market over the next seven years. (Source: East-West Center, 14 May)
GUAM: OKINAWA-GUAM TROOP MIGRATION GROWS TO 23,699
The movement of US Marines from Okinawa to Guam has been described as the largest since the Vietnam War is part of the US Department of Defense's national security initiative in the Western Pacific Region. The project also involves the construction of berthing for visiting aircraft carriers and the establishment of a U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Defense Task Force in Guam.
(Source: East-West Center, 15 May)
FRENCH POLYNESIA: NEW MOBILE PHONE FIRM LAUNCHES
The new Tong Sang government has authorized Mara Telecom to launch a third generation (3G) mobile telephone service network in French Polynesia at the end of the year. Mara Telecom is associated with the Nokia Siemens Network.
MaraTelecom is the first competitor for the 14 year old Tikiphone, the mobile phone operator in French Polynesia that has had the growing market to itself since 1994. (Source: East-West Center, 9 May)
TONGA: TOURISM OFFICIAL TOUTS ROYAL CORONATION
Tonga's Tourism New Zealand representative, Will 'Ilolahia, says it is estimated that the August Coronation will bring the Kingdom close to 10 million pa'anga [US$4.9 million] in foreign earnings, twice what Tonga will spend, let alone the world-wide publicity. (Source: East-West Center, 16 May)
TONGA: $122 MILLION IN PROJECTS PLANNED ON VAVA'U
Information from the Governor's Office reveals there has been an agreement on several development works to be carried out in Vava´u from 2011 to 2012. These include expanding Ngu hospital starting this June, expanding the bridge in Vaipua and establishing health clinics in Tefisi, Ta´anea, Hunga and Falevai and building an international airport which will be funded by the Chinese government. Other new establishments include rebuilding the wharf in Ofu and repairing the wharf in Ovaka, renewing the water pump in Tu´anekivale, ´Utui, Ha´alaufuli and Holonga as well as road maintenance to various roads in Vava´u.
Lutoviko estimates the work at around 250 million pa´anga [US$122.5 million]. (Source: East-West Center, 14 May)
