Business
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Global Tensions Loom Over Fiji’s Economic Outlook as Tourism Holds Steady
Fiji’s economy is navigating a challenging global landscape, with rising trade tensions and shifting foreign policies testing growth. Tourism shows a modest uptick, but several core sectors face volatility, underscoring a mixed path to stability. Policymakers are calling for fiscal discipline and structural reforms to build resilience ahead of cyclone season and ongoing uncertainties.
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Go Big on Agriculture: Fiji’s Hidden Growth Engine
Could Fiji unlock durable growth by turning its rural farms into a powerhouse? A push to massively lift agricultural production, backed by better transport, water, and power, could lift household spending and ripple through services from retail to transport. A broader, agriculture-led path promises resilience beyond tourism and remittances.
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Fiji Post Offices Connected: 58 Locations Unite in Real-Time Network
Fiji’s postal network has gone digital in a big way: all 58 post offices are now connected to a centralized online system. Expect faster parcel handling, real-time transactions, and broader financial access—from towns to remote islands. A milestone with the potential to reshape everyday life and economic opportunities across the nation.
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ADB Funds Air Niugini Fleet Renewal, Paving Greener Skies for PNG
An international financing package is set to modernize Papua New Guinea’s flag carrier with six new Airbus A220-100 jets. The plan aims to boost safety, cut fuel use, and strengthen connectivity across the country and beyond. A greener, more resilient aviation future could be on the horizon for the region.
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Fiji’s 1990 Budget Aims for Deregulation and Export Growth
Fiji’s 1990 budget signaled a bold shift toward export-led growth—deregulation, price reforms, and a stronger push for foreign investment. It framed tax reform, skills development, and entrepreneurship as the keys to competitiveness and sustainable prosperity.
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Fiji’s LICI Digitizes 100k Policy Files, Speeds Up Service
Fiji’s life insurer is turning decades of paper policy files into a digital archive, transforming how customers access and manage their coverage. The move promises faster service and real-time access to policy information, signaling a new era in regional insurance.
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Fiji Rugby Union Names New CFO to Steer Financial Future
Fiji Rugby Union has appointed Pita Tutuvalu Waqanivalu as its new chief financial officer, with his start set for February 2026. A chartered accountant with more than a decade of leadership in both public and private finance and broad international exposure, he brings a proven record of strengthening governance and financial resilience. The move signals…
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Fiji Visitor Arrivals Edge Up in 2025 as Long-Haul Markets Lead Growth
Fiji’s 2025 tourism picture shows a cautious uptick, buoyed by long-haul travelers even as regional demand softens. Gains from the UK and US contrast with declines from New Zealand, Australia, and Asia, while shifting diplomacy, cyclone-season risks, and TIP considerations loom over the outlook.
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Fiji Tonight: New Fuel Pricing — Petrol and Diesel Up, LPG Down
Midnight brings new regulated fuel prices: petrol and diesel rise while LPG declines. Driven by November imports and global market trends, the changes could affect daily costs for households and motorists.
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Fiji’s Investment Push Could Shape Its Economic Future
Fiji’s growth outlook may hinge on a lift in business investment as big capital works move forward. An economist weighs the budget and a budding real estate pipeline, hinting at a potential turning point for jobs and living standards.
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Motibhai to Build $8.5M Eco-Friendly Distribution Center in Labasa
Motibhai Group reveals an eco-friendly distribution hub planned for Labasa, aiming to modernize the North’s logistics with sustainability at its core. The project promises new jobs and a boost to Vanua Levu’s economy, signaling a bold step for the region’s future.
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Fiji Market Vending: A Family’s Lifeline and New Year Hope
Three decades of market vending have kept a family afloat at a stall along Khalsa Road. Vinia Tabucegu and her niece balance daily hustle, seasonal rushes, and a shared resilience that weaves work, family, and community into one lifeline.
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Nadi and Lautoka Markets Face Downturn as Costs Rise and Tourists Decline
Market stalls in Nadi and Lautoka are feeling the squeeze as living costs rise and tourist numbers fall. Traders report shrinking profits and unsold stock, yet many vow to press on, finding new ways to attract customers and stay afloat.
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Fiji Airways Launches Direct Gold Coast to Nadi Flights
Fiji Airways unveils a new direct link between the Gold Coast and Nadi, promising a faster, more convenient Pacific getaway. The thrice-weekly service on a modern Boeing 737 MAX 8 opens up fresh travel options for holidays, business, and reconnecting with loved ones. A notable milestone that strengthens ties between two vibrant destinations and boosts…
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Fiji Unveils MSME Database to Close Gender Finance Gap for Women-Led Businesses
Significant barriers still block women-led MSMEs in Fiji from reaching their full potential, even as they power livelihoods across communities. A bold national strategy and an industry-wide database promise to unlock finance, markets, and visibility—hinting at a shift that could boost jobs, incomes, and resilience.
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Fiji Opens 21-Day Public Consultation on Electricity Tariffs
Fiji kicks off a 21-day public consultation on electricity tariffs, inviting input from households, businesses, and micro, small, and medium enterprises. As officials highlight affordability, sustainable energy, and good governance, the conversation could shape the next chapter of the country’s energy policy.
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Post Fiji Seeks Tariff Reform or Deregulation to Save Universal Postal Service
Post Fiji has formally urged the FCCC to consider either deregulating domestic postal tariffs or adjusting them to recover costs. The move follows shrinking letter volumes in the digital age and rising operating costs, signaling potential changes that could affect universal service across Fiji’s 58 outlets.
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Suva Market Florists Bloom Amid Rising Demand for Local Flowers
Amid rising costs, Suva’s flower stalls stand as a beacon of resilience. For many vendors, selling blooms is more than income—it’s a steady lifeline that also teaches the next generation about family, hard work, and community. Their ongoing hope keeps a cherished tradition blooming.
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Tanoa Plaza Hotel Ends the Year With a Staff-First Christmas Celebration
Year-end celebrations highlight the hotel’s real treasure—the people. A warm, family-friendly gathering honors dedication with festive cheer, hinting at the unity and appreciation shaping the year ahead.
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Fiji Delays Electricity Tariff Rollout for 21-Day Public Consultation
A 21-day public consultation on upcoming electricity tariffs opens the floor for households and small businesses to share their views on energy costs. With affordability, sustainable energy, and a stable economy in focus, this dialogue promises to shape the future of how electricity touches daily life.
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Fiji’s Balance of Payments Dips as Imports Surge and Exports Fall
Fiji’s latest balance of payments signals a shift in momentum: imports rise and exports dip, pushing the current account into deficit. Amid the turbulence, pockets of strength in capital inflows and investment income hint at resilience and a cautious path to recovery.
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Suva Retailers Launch Mental Health Fundraisers
Suva’s retailers are stepping up for mental health with a string of fundraising events and community initiatives. Beyond awareness, the plan hints at practical city improvements and a broader, lasting commitment to social responsibility.
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Sugar Growers Eye FNPF-Backed Savings Scheme
A bold idea is taking shape to secure the long-term finances of cane growers. The Council is exploring a formal superannuation-style scheme with FNPF, linked to cane payments, with broad district consultations and potential industry guideline updates on the horizon.
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Fiji Sugar Industry Bids Farewell to L M Sherwood After 44-Year Career
After 44 years shaping Fiji’s sugar industry, Mr. L. M. Sherwood has retired, leaving a lasting imprint from the lab bench to the mill floor and boardroom. A pioneer in employer-employee relations and a lifelong community figure, his work bridged farmers, workers, and sports clubs—an era in Nausori that will be remembered for partnerships and…
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Fiji’s Rarawai Sugar Mill Closure on Christmas Sparks Cane-Supply Controversy
Christmas-season shutdown at a key Fiji sugar mill sparks a heated debate over cane supply and timing. Critics warn the pause could slow production and impact farmers, while supporters insist the break is essential for efficient milling.
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Kiribati Hits AUD 200m Fishing Revenue for Third Straight Year
Kiribati marks a major milestone for its fisheries sector, with earnings topping AUD 200 million for the third straight year. The nation’s vast ocean rights and a growing coastal harvest hint at a resilient future, even as climate patterns test conditions at sea. Officials say the focus now is sustainable growth and seizing new opportunities…
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Fiji Electricity Tariff Pause Sparks Private Sector Consultations
Business leaders are signaling cautious optimism as a proposed electricity tariff hike is paused to allow broader consultations. With costs rising and Fiji’s competitiveness on the line, the private sector is calling for inclusive engagement to help shape a balanced path forward. The move suggests a shift toward more collaborative decision-making between regulators and the…
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Floating marinas could reshape Pacific disaster relief
Amid growing seismic and climate pressures across the Pacific, a bold new approach to marine infrastructure is taking shape. Floating marinas and modular manufacturing blend global expertise with local Fiji-based training, promising faster builds, lower costs, and stronger resilience for island communities. Through partnerships and hands-on development, this strategy aims to boost local economies while…
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Kontiki Finance Backs Fiji Girl Giya’s Eye Treatment in India with $5,000
Generosity from a Suva-based finance company sparks renewed hope for a 13-year-old in urgent need. Giya Geetanjali Prasad is heading abroad for essential treatment, backed by a heartfelt community gesture that shines a light on compassion in tough times. A story of resilience and solidarity in the face of adversity.
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FNPF Tightens Childbirth Medical Withdrawals to Emergency-Only
FNPF has tightened its medical withdrawal rules for childbirth, limiting payouts to emergencies that are life-threatening and documented by specialists. Payments are issued directly to medical facilities, while routine maternity costs—like elective caesareans—fall outside coverage. Comprehensive medical documentation will determine eligibility as the fund safeguards long-term savings.