Results for Economy and Trade

A review of the Tongan economy by scholars and economic thinkers at the University of the South Pacific, Tonga campus, on May 29 was a bit like a group of growers assessing the possible yield that they could expect to get from what they perceived to be a well-cultivated plantation. However, their findings also revealed a mixed bag of economic abnormalities. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 1, June 2001.

The Tongan economy is expected to remain sluggish during the next financial year 2001/02. The Budget statement of Tonga’s new Minister of Finance, Hon. Sosiua ‘Utoikamanu, presented to parliament on June 5 said there would be no significant economic growth during the new financial year. Instead there will be a slight drop in the growth of GDP, from 4.4% in real terms last year to 3.2% in the new financial year. The Inflation rate is expected to remain at the current peak 8%, after slowly rising from 4.2% in February 2000 and 7.1% in December 2000. These are the highest levels since the early 1990s. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 1, June 2001.

Consumption is up as economic activity increases in Tonga. Trade figures for the first quarter of 2000 compared to the same period in 1999, for selected Tonga imports. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

Tonga has all the right ingredients to ride in the unprecedented rising tide of economic growth that was currently being enjoyed by the USA and other countries of the world, the American Ambassador to Tonga, Mr M. Osman Siddique, said at the launching of the Tonga-USA Business Council, at the Dateline Hotel on September 1. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

Afu‘alo Matoto has taken over the leadership role of the TDB at a time when the Bank is expected to play a major role in reviving the Tongan economy, by providing capital for the development of the agricultural, fisheries and tourism industries - areas that urgently need development to pull the country out of its current economic recession. But he says Tonga needs to first resolve its leadership crisis: “We need to crystallise our position and to take action.” By Pesi Fonua. Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 1, January 1999.

Tonga’s biggest hotels face closure before the year 2000. The Pacific Royale Hotel, the International Date­line Hotel, the Friendly Islander Motel and the Royal Sunset Resort are fighting an up-hill battle to keep their doors open, and to remain in business. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 4, December 1998.

The Tonga Development Bank introduced a Venture Capital Scheme in 1993, but that is now on hold according to ‘Etikeni Samani, a senior assistant manager in human resource development and admini­­­­stration. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 4, December 1998.