Such a grim picture of the Tongan economy is forecast over the next 18 months that Tonga's Minister of Finance has come out to warn the public of the dire economic consequences of the massive salary increase given to public servants in the September strike settlement. By Mary Lyn Fonua
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Sunday 11 December 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Saturday 10 December 2005
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The monopoly of Peau Vava'u Airways in Tonga's domestic air service ended today, December 9, when a new operator Airlines Tonga Air Fiji Ltd was to be issued with a license to compete on Tonga's domestic routes until March next year.

Tuesday 29 November 2005
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Stephen Tusler of Australia is the new General Manager of the Tonga Communications Corporation, taking up his two year contract on November 28.

Thursday 10 November 2005
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Tonga's accession to the World Trade Organisation WTO is at the point of no return, Tonga's Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries Dr Feleti Sevele, told WTO critics at a Press Conference in Nuku'alofa on Tuesday, November 8, saying that retailing and wholesaling are two sectors that will remain protected for Tongans.

Wednesday 2 November 2005
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The monopoly of the Peau Vava‘u Airways on the domestic air service ended on November 1, when the Minsitry of Civil Aviation disregarded the monopoly agreement that it signed with the Peau Vava'u in May 2004 and advertised for a second airline to service the domestic airway.

Wednesday 2 November 2005
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The fifth and the final shipment of Tongan squash is expected to leave Tonga for Japan on November 12.

Thursday 20 October 2005
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The Sixth Pasifiki Trade Fair was opened this morning with over 70 businesses displaying various products at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall in Nuku‘alofa.

Saturday 15 October 2005
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Going out to the movies will be back in fashion on October 27 when the new Star Cinema opens its doors in Nuku'alofa.

Thursday 6 October 2005
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The first shipment of Tongan squash to Japan for 2005 will leave Nuku‘alofa at the end of next week with 3200 tonnes of Tongan squash.

Tuesday 4 October 2005
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Following the acceptance by government of the demands of Tonga's striking civil servants for a 60, 70, 80% salary rise on September 4, Tonga's Minister of Finance, Hon. Siosiua 'Utoikamanu has been attending development and finance meetings in New York, and recently in Barbados, in the West Indies.

Wednesday 21 September 2005
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A new range of locally produced liqueurs and spirits was launched at the Billfish Bar, Nuku'alofa, last night, September 20.

Wednesday 13 July 2005
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The launching of an SMS text message service by the Tonga Communication Corporation on July 11,was a milestone in the development of mobile telecommunications in Tonga, according to the Acting General Manager of TCC Timote Katoanga.

Thursday 2 June 2005
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The winners of this year's Quality Service Awards were shining examples for Tonga, "we need you," said Dr Fred Sevele, Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries, in presenting the awards on the evening of May 31.

Wednesday 25 May 2005
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The Chairman of Shoreline Power, Crown Prince Tupouto'a, this morning, May 25, offered to return Tonga's electric power operation to government in return for a large settlement of an amount to be assessed.

Thursday 5 May 2005
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After Tonga's squash growers this week became totally confused over how the new Consumption Tax applied to their businesses, the Minister of Finance has come out and promised them exemption from the CT on agricultural imports.

Monday 2 May 2005
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A 25 per cent increase in Nuku'alofa's port tariffs due to start on April 1 has been deferred until July 1 by the Nuku'alofa Port Authority.

Friday 1 April 2005
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While Tongan consumers were faced with a new 15% Consumption Tax coming into effect today, April 1, Tongan businesses were not amused by the sudden announcement by their Port Authority of a 25% increase in ports tariffs to take effect on April 4.
They warn that the increase in shipping tariffs will absorb any savings that were to be made from the Consumption Tax introduction.

Wednesday 30 March 2005
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The Tongan economy is not shaping up well in comparision with other Pacific islands and other economies in the Asia Pacific region, according to World Bank indicators.

Wednesday 9 March 2005
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The E. M. Jones group of companies, one of Tonga's oldest trading companies is selling out. Keith Harris of Guardian Trust, New Zealand, the legal owner of E. M. Jones Group of companies since 1981 said that they had no other option but to sell E. M. Jones Ltd.

Wednesday 23 February 2005
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The Tonga Post Office, which is set to be corporatised in July, has recently doubled its airmail parcel rates and introduced a special high rate for parcels on the busiest section between Tonga and New Zealand.
