Results for Business

Two new mobile telephone base stations for Tongatapu were set up by the Tonga Communications Corporation last year, at a cost of $500,000 and more stations are planned for other islands of Tonga in 2003. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 1, March 2003.

The assessment by the International Monetary Fund of the Tongan macro-economy during the 2001-2002 fiscal year, highlighted their grave concern over the stagnating state of the economy, the depletion of the official reserves, the marked depreciation of the Pa‘anga, mounting public indebtedness, and the rapid increase in the inflation rate.. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 1, March 2003.

The Forum Shipping Agencies in Tonga has recently restructured its Nuku‘alofa offices, and appointed Angela Parzefall, as the new Shipping Manager. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 1, March 2003.

The telecommunications work linking the small islands in Tonga has won an international award and global recognition for the contractors involved. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 1, March 2003.

Five long-line fishing boats will join Tonga’s fleet of 27 long-line boats in early 2003. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 1, March 2003.

Is Tonga ready to become a member of the World Trade Organisation? The Tongan Minister responsible for Trade, Hon. Dr Masaso Paunga, is confident that Tonga has done all the right things by signing the appropriate international conventions, and free trade agreements, and that Tonga is now ready to become a member of the WTO sometime next year. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.

‘Alatini Fisheries Co. Ltd .is planning to open before Christmas a new speciality food shop on Taufa‘ahau Road, Nuku‘alofa, specialising in fresh, chilled and frozen foods. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.

What will be critical for insurance costs in Tonga and every other island in the Pacific is this year’s cyclone season, said Gary Callaghan, the executive director of Dominion Insurance, of Fiji, who visited Tonga in October. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 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.