Tonga’s Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. (TCCI) returned John Paul Chapman as President, with 'Aloma Johansson as Vice President in uncontested ballots last night at the 2015-16 Annual General Meeting.

In his President’s report for the year, John Paul urged members to use the Chamber to present their issues, stating, “Your small idea may reflect wider concerns.”

The Chamber offers workshops and receptions for businesses to take part in. It also runs the Tonga Business Enterprise Centre and the Youth in Business challenge.

Viliami Takau, who took up the position of CEO at the start of 2015, reported that 2014 had been a challenging year for TCCI when funding was reduced.  He stated that the need for a full time executive was a priority and funding was approved for the role by the Pacific Leadership Program (PLP), a regional initiative of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that had been the Chamber’s main partner since 2009.

Phase 3 of the program commenced in July 2014 and was expected to run for another three to five years. However, compared to previous years, “PLP Funding has not only been reduced…phase 3 has seen a departure from the direct funding of Chamber core activities and a move to program related funding,” the Chamber report stated.

Meanwhile, another partner, the New Zealand Government, had invested TOP$8.4 million in the Tonga Business Enterprise Centre for the five years 2015-19.

Consultation lacking

The Chamber is also the National Private Sector Organization in Tonga.

Policy issues impacting the private sector remained a concern. “Lack of consultation by Government on Policy still remains an issue for Chamber and businesses,” the report stated.

Other members of the new council elected in contested and uncontested ballots last night were: secretary Monalisa Palu; asst. secretary, Sam Vea; treasurer, Kesomi Siale; asst. treasurer, Suliana Afu; council members, Frank Schaper, Liz Sullivan, Paula Taumoepeau and Saia ‘Uta‘atu.