Results for Business

Tonga’s first Labour Mobility Policy was launched by Prime Minister Hon Dr Tu’i’onetoa today, 4 February. Thousands of Tongans are employed in labour mobility schemes in New Zealand and Australia in horticulture, meat processing, construction, tourism and hospitality. The policy, which was endorsed by cabinet in 2020, aims to maximize the development impact of circular labour mobility in Tonga.

A new five years Electricity Concession Contract, to secure the supply of electricity to Tonga’s main island groups of Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai and Vava’u was signed in Nuku’alofa on 12 January 2021.

The petroleum prices for January-February continue to increase effective January 18, as approved by Tonga's Competent Authority.

Fourteen people completed a bee-keeping course at the end of last year under a project aimed at addressing the declining number of bees in Tonga, which are vital to food security. By Eleanor Gee.

The first shipment of 16.6 metric tonnes of Tongan watermelons was exported to Auckland, New Zealand on December 17, after the October ban was lifted. It is a new milestone for Tonga's agricultural sector, said local farmer and exporter, Minoru Nishi Jr today.

Australia has provided AUD$2.885 million towards Tonga’s outer islands solar power project, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to help reduce reliance on diesel for power generation.

Despite the hard time that the Tongan economy is going through at the moment, there are some signs of new investment taking shape at the Small Industries Centre at Ma'ufanga. But most of the 64 businesses in operation at the SIC are reeling from the impact of the events of 2020. Recently, the Tonga Asset Managers and Associates Ltd. TAMA has identified a 67% average drop in sales by businesses located at the SIC and only two of the businesses are exporting. By Pesi Fonua.

An online remittance service, called ‘Ave Pa’anga Pau TDB Ltd., which will allows Tongans in Australia to send money to Tonga and vice versa, was launched today in Nuku'alofa.

Fresh local produce on display at ‘Atele Indoor Stadium marked World Food Day today, 16 October under the theme ‘Grow, nourish, sustain. Together. Our actions are our future’. Lord Tu'ilakepa said the current pandemic is starting to affect our food systems, which will lead to more poverty for mankind.