Results for Tonga

Tens of millions of pa‘anga in government expenditure that used to be disregarded in the annual Budget estimates, have this year been incorporated into the figures—beefing it up to $112 million in operational costs. This is a new approach by a new Finance Minister, Siosiua ‘Utoikamanu, to make government operations more “transparent”. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.

The quarry business, particularly on Tongatapu, is a thriving but very competitive business according to Sione Tafolo of the Fasi‘apule Holding Ltd. who says that it is an on-going task for people who live in the low-lying areas to keep filling up their properties. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.

Peter Semone, the Vice President of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), (pictured above, centre) wants tourist operators in the Pacific islands to revitalise their interest in the organisation. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.

When a new mobile phone provider, Tonfön (Shoreline Communications) launched its telephone service on July 31, Tonga became the only Pacific island country to allow two competing telecommunications companies. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.

The restructuring of the Royal Tongan Airlines marked, “the beginning of the reform in government statutory boards,” Tonga’s Prime Minister Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata promised, at a Press Conference he called on July 9, to explain his initiative to restructure the ailing national airline. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.

The Informal sector of the Tongan business community is the biggest enemy of the struggling Tongan economy, believes the Vava’u no. 1 People’s Representative, Trevor Guttenbeil. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.

The Tongans tradition of presenting gifts to one another is a phenomena that has enabled Tongans to maintain a way of life that is unique in the world, said Dr Mike Evans, an Associate Professor at the Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta, Canada, who visited Ha‘ano island in June. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.

The Tongan Budget for 2002-3, passed by the Legislative Assembly on June 27, is the biggest ever, with the total revenue to be collected by government amounting to $120.25 million. Government Expenditure during the same period is expected to amount to $122.72 million, leaving us with a deficit of $2.5 million. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.

The Shoreline Group signed a new agreement with the Tonga Electric Power Board on January 21 this year, which allowed Shoreline Distribution to lease the electricity distribution network for Tongatapu, Ha‘apai and ‘Eua. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 1, May 2002.