Business
-

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.
-

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.
-

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.
-

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.
-

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.
-

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…
-

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.
-

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…
-

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…
-

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…
-

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.
-

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.
-

Fiji Suspends New Electricity Tariff, Launches 21-Day Public Consultation
Fiji’s electricity tariff plans are temporarily paused as a 21-day public consultation opens, inviting feedback from consumers, businesses, governments, and community groups. The process emphasizes transparency and evidence-based decisions on tariff plans and the underlying methodology, aiming to reflect the long-term interests of households and the economy.
-

Fiji Women-Led MSMEs Secure Financing Under WE Finance Initiative
Momentum is building for Fiji’s women entrepreneurs as access to finance and leadership opportunities expand within the formal economy. A regional code is reshaping lending, digital inclusion, and policy support—creating momentum for sustained growth and empowerment.
-

Marine Structures eyes Fiji as gateway to a Pacific floating infrastructure boom
Australian marine specialist Marine Structures is widening its Pacific footprint through strategic partnerships and a growing Fiji-based footprint. With innovative floating designs, sustainable materials, and a focus on cyclone- and quake-resilience, the venture promises longer-lasting platforms tailored to island nations.
-

Fiji Back-to-School Rush: Retailers Prep Early as Price Promotions Face Scrutiny
Back-to-school season is kicking into gear as retailers stock up early and roll out promotions. With families tightening their budgets, genuine discounts and fair pricing take center stage, monitored to ensure deals stay real when the new term begins.
-

Shangri-La Resort Signals Expansion After Holiday Tourism Surge
Festive-season demand is nudging Shangri-La Resort toward a major expansion, hinting at bigger accommodations and new family-focused activities. The plan aims to elevate guest experiences while boosting local jobs and sustainable growth, signaling a fresh chapter for the destination.
-

Fiji Sugarcane Growers Eye Automatic Savings Plan
Could an automatic savings plan tied to cane payments redefine financial security for growers? With ongoing discussions and broad consultations planned, the proposal could impact thousands of cane farmers and their families, paving a new path for long-term planning.
-

Fiji Prepares Groundbreaking P2P Lending Platform Under New Funding Act
Fiji moves toward its first peer-to-peer lending platform under a new funding act. Early 2026 will usher in a call for proposals to build a secure, scalable solution aimed at widening MSME financing. An upcoming January workshop will outline the next steps.
-

IFC and BRED Banks Announce $10M Plan to Boost SMEs in Vanuatu and Solomon Islands
A new alliance between regional banks and development partners could open fresh financing avenues for SMEs in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. By boosting access to capital and advisory support, the initiative aims to supercharge growth and strengthen resilience across the SME sector.
-

Nausori Market Gets a Cooling Upgrade with Ten New Fans
Industrial fans have arrived at Nausori Market, set to improve ventilation and comfort for vendors and shoppers. This upgrade signals a renewed push for safer, better-loved public spaces and stronger local commerce.
-

Investors in Fiji Bet on Universities to Fill the Skills Gap
Fiji faces a quiet challenge: skilled labour shortages and lagging productivity. A collaborative approach is taking shape—investors teaming with universities, training institutes, and the private sector to build a stronger talent pipeline. If this momentum continues, it could unlock lasting growth for the economy.
-

Fiji Investment Boom Draws Global Investors — Can Faster Approvals Sustain the Momentum?
Fiji is seeing a sharp uptick in investment, with interest pouring in from more than 50 countries and over 200 projects in the pipeline. Tourism, energy, and aviation are driving the momentum, supported by efforts to speed up approvals and collaboration with resource owners. As planners navigate capacity and labor challenges, a coordinated path toward…
-

Fiji FCCC Leadership Shuffle Reversed After 24-Hour Appointment Amid Tariff Debate
An abrupt leadership shake-up at Fiji’s competition watchdog has regulators and business leaders watching closely. In just 24 hours, a new chair was appointed and then withdrawn, sparking questions about governance and the commission’s direction amid ongoing tariff discussions. With key voices within the FCCC remaining tight-lipped, the episode hints at deeper tensions shaping Fiji’s…
-

Fiji bets on renewables to tame electricity price swings
Fiji’s electricity outlook could be steadier than the forecast despite volatile global fuel costs. A bold $2 billion move to renewables—hydro, solar, storage, and smarter grids—promises to stabilize tariffs, boost energy security, and support climate goals. The plan hinges on timely investment and strong collaboration among customers, regulators, the government, and development partners.
-

Natovi Jetty Vendors Call for Government Help to Upgrade Food Stalls
At Natovi Jetty, about 50 women vendors are calling for better facilities to keep up with rising traveler numbers this season. From makeshift stalls serving roti, fish, and BBQ, they hope upgraded, hygienic food stalls will secure stable incomes for their families and boost the local economy.
-

Rarawai Mill Nears January 2026 End for Fiji’s 2025 Sugar Season
A tentative end-date for the 2025 sugar season at the Rarawai Mill is on the horizon, with January 11, 2026 in view. The Sugar Tribunal will oversee ongoing harvesting and crushing as talks continue, with a final order to be issued seven days before closure. In the meantime, operations continue to support farmers and workers…
-

Fiji’s Investment Surge Faces Approval Hurdles
Fiji is stepping up its pursuit of foreign investment, with rising global interest shaping its economic outlook. Yet every surge in interest brings new hurdles—prolonged approvals, negotiations with resource owners, and cross-agency coordination. How the country plans and sustains support could determine the balance between growth and stability.
-

Fiji Completes WE Finance Initiative Pilot, Signals Momentum for Women Entrepreneurs
Fiji is piloting a bold approach to empower women entrepreneurs by expanding access to finance and digital tools. This collaborative effort across the financial sector signals a more inclusive future for women-led businesses.
-

Fiji rolls out Small Offers funding regime to boost MSMEs
Fiji unveils a game-changing funding framework for MSMEs with the Access to Business Funding Act 2025, introducing a regulated Small Offers regime that connects private capital with growing businesses. Backed by a cross‑agency taskforce and upcoming information sessions, the reform aims to unlock growth capital while safeguarding investors. A bold step toward broader financing options…