The Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. elected its council for  2013-14, and there was no contest for the nominations at its Annual General Meeting in Nuku'alofa, last night.

Aloma Johansson remains TCCI President for a third year in office. In her report for 2012 she said that public sector / private sector dialogues hosted by TCCI during the year had resulted in a closer working relationship with government.

“The TCCI has endeavoured to continue to advocate to the Government on prevailing issues, which are seen to be prohibitive and which impede the ease with which one can either start or continue to do business,” she said.

Aloma recognised the support given to TCCI by donors including AUSAid through the Pacific Leadership Programme, NZAid's ongoing funding of TBEC; and the UNDP and the IFC who had recognised the TCCI‘s Youth and Business and Business Survey Programme, as well as corporate sponsors in Tonga.

Viliami Takau was elected as the new Secretary, and Muimui Qetaki as Assistant Secretary.

Other members of the council for 2013-14 are: Vice-President, Paula Taumoepeau; Treasurer, Tricia Emberson; Assistant Treasurer, Hehea Tukuafu; Councillors, Minoru Nishi, Edgar Cocker, Suliana Afu and Liz Sullivan; Legal advisor, Dana Stephenson; Auditor, Sefita Tangi.

The TCCI also has four affiliate member positions on the council from the Growers Federation of Tonga Inc, WISE Tonga Inc, Fishing industry Association of Tonga and the Manufacturer's Association of Tonga.

The TCCI was established 17 years ago to represent the interests of its members, private sector businesses, to promote economic growth and to advance and develop the economy of Tonga.