Results for Business

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.