Cruise ship offers chance to visitors

Fiji Airways and Korean Airlines sign code-sharing MOU

Fiji and South Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for an Air Services Agreement between the two countries to allow code-sharing arrangements, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has confirmed. This week, Cabinet approved the MOU which will now facilitate code-sharing provisions between Fiji Airways and Korean airlines. It also extends to partnerships with third-party...

FBC incurs $78k loss after vehicle resale

The Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) has incurred a $78,470 financial loss after reselling the former chief executive officer’s $207,470 luxury vehicle for $129,000 through a tender process. The “extravagant” purchase was criticised by the new FBC Board after coming into office and the process of reselling the vehicle was described as “time-consuming, messy, and uneconomical”...

RBF notes rise in job recruitment intentions

The Reserve Bank of Fiji says the number of job vacancies rose by 23.6 per cent in the first four months of 2023. It said recruitment intentions picked up in most sectors. RBF governor and Macroeconomic Committee chairperson Ariff Ali said the strong demand for labour was also underpinned by businesses filling up vacant positions...

Fiji economy benefits from strong rebound in tourism – Ali

Fiji’s economy continues to benefit from the strong rebound in tourism and its positive spill-over effects to other sectors of the economy. According to the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF), visitor arrivals had increased steadily since the reopening of borders and are on track to return to pre pandemic levels. RBF governor and Macroeconomic Committee...

RBF: Fiji’s growth projection revised upward to 8.0 per cent

The growth projection for Fiji’s economy this year is revised upward to 8.0 per cent from the 6.0 per cent envisaged in November 2022. Reserve Bank of Fiji governor and Macroeconomic Committee chairperson Ariff Ali said the key sectors contributing to the upward growth projection were the accommodation and food services, transport and storage, agriculture,...

Labour force participation low for women in Fiji

Labour force participation was 30 per cent lower for women compared with men in Fiji as recently as 2021, despite having close to gender parity in primary and secondary school enrolment. This is according to a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) released May 2023. The Comprehensive Analysis of Existing Research and Data of...

Partnership shows confidence in sector

Cloud-based customer relationship management company Salesforce has partnered with leading ICT provider Datec. The launch of the partnership was announced with a conference at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva recently. The event was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, Small & Medium Enterprises & Communications, Manoa Kamikamica. “The launch of...

Push to become a regional hub

Fiji is strengthening its push to become a regional hub for private and public partnerships, says Minister for Investment and Trade Manoa Kamikamica. He said apart from its geographical location, the country provided an important link to smaller island nations where future investors could also establish businesses. “We also have ambitions to be a regional...

Discussion gathers momentum

Discussions on establishing more than one submarine cable network for telecommunication services is gathering momentum. Minister for Trade and Investment Manoa Kamikamica said with the installation of more than one network, they hoped that interest from bigger international companies would grow. “We also want to be technological hub in the Pacific,” he said. “Because of...

Marina’s new status

Port Denarau Marina has become the first marina in Fiji and the South Pacific to receive both the Gold Anchor and Superyacht Ready status from The Yacht Harbour Association. This accomplishment sets a new standard for marina facilities and services in the region and showcases Port Denarau Marina’s commitment to providing a safe, secure, and...

UPU opens regional office in Fiji

The Universal Postal Union (UPU), the international agency connecting the postal services of 192 member countries established by the United Nations in 1874 now has a regional office in Suva, Fiji. The Pacific office of the UPU was officially opened by UPU director general Masahiko Metoki and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises...

Rural economy needs a boost – Kamikamica

We have not quite hit the mark in improving the rural economy, says Minister for Trade and Investment Manoa Kamikamica. While addressing a group of United States business owners in Nadi, Mr Kamikamica said there was a real need to set up businesses in Fiji’s rural areas to prevent more Fijians from moving to urban...

Potential for US-owned businesses to invest in Fiji

There is potential for US-owned businesses to invest in Fiji, says Minister for Trade and Investment Manoa Kamikamica. While speaking to a group of American business owners in Nadi, he said there were opportunities in renewable energy, telecommunications and commercial agriculture that could benefit both parties. “While Governments make policies and legislations, it is the...

Fund encourages culture of saving

Fiji National Provident Fund acting CEO Pravinesh Singh is encouraging people in rural and informal sectors to save. Speaking to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs about the FNPF’s 2022 Annual Report, he said member education and advocacy team were out in numbers in the rural and informal areas. “We are doing our best to...

$100k investment in cosmetic clinic

Cosmetic medical procedures have been brought closer to home by a husband-and-wife team in Dr Vishaal Chandra and Dr Harshika Shandil. The Votualevu, Nadi-based facility known as Medical Skin Cosmetic Clinic, the first for the country, officially opened its door to the public this week with bookings already hitting the roof and with more expected...

Industry challenges | Congress to strengthen beekeeping sector skills

More than 200 beekeepers from 10 different Pacific Island countries are part of a week-long event to learn, network, and strengthen beekeeping industry skills, knowledge and partnerships in the region. The 1st Pacific Islands Bee Congress is being held at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi from May 22 to 26. According to the Australian...

Entrepreneurs venture into different industry

Owners of popular Suva store Salt and Pepper Home Décor have stepped into the beauty industry with the launch of their new store Bold and Beautiful. The store celebrated its official launch on May 19, 2023, on the heels of the original store’s one year anniversary. Present in support of the small business owners, Deputy...

Regional postal hub opens in Fiji

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) will, as of today, have a sub-regional office in Suva. This office will be the link between UPU and the Pacific, strengthening the collective Pacific voice in all future UPU matters. UPU director general Masahiko Metoki, who is in Fiji for the office’s opening event, was welcomed by Post Fiji...

Arrivals up 100pc

Total visitor arrivals in April 2023 reached 76,961. This is reportedly 100.2 per cent of the 2019 figures over the same period and 118 per cent of Tourism Fiji’s April target. Australia and New Zealand accounted for 71 per cent of April arrivals. “Our April visitor arrival figures have just been released and have again...

Nama skin care at ‘must-attend’ Las Vegas event

Locally-made skin care product, Nama Fiji, made its debut at the International Spa Association (ISPA) conference held from May 9 to 11 at Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas. This was announced by Essence Group Fiji. Known as the “must-attend” event for the spa industry, the conference brings together spa professionals and showcases spa and wellness...

Latest buzz at resort

A resort has launched its honeybee project by installing 10 beehives in the engineering gardens. Each hive contains approximately 60,000 bees. Led by its resident beekeeper Simione Neirube, the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa project aims to provide a haven for the bees and assist the resort in sustainably producing honey for guests’ consumption....

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