Results for Economy and Trade

The use of new technology to facilitate trade and address food safety was discussed at the International Forum on Food Safety and Trade held on 23-24 April, by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Addis Ababa.

Tonga is currently playing an active role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Lopeti Senituli, a personal adviser to the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva, told Matangi Tonga.

The National Reserve Bank of Tonga aims at securing Tonga’s Foreign Reserves at a level of about $457.3 million, equivalent to more than seven months of imports, with the enforcement of the Foreign Exchange Control Act 2018 on 1 November. The Act requires Tongan exporters to repatriate at least 60% of their export proceeds. And, if the economy fails and the foreign reserves drop below the threshold, - then the Act gives the government the right to try and force Tongans who have invested overseas to repatriate their funds to Tonga. The Act was passed at the time Tonga expected to start repaying its loans to China.

The Tonga Government will start paying $TOP10.8 million a year during the next ten years, (principal only) of its $TOP119m loan from the Exim Bank of China that was used to fund reconstruction projects after the 2006 riots in Nuku'alofa. The start of the principal repayments has already contributed to a $22.8m decline in Tonga’s foreign reserves in September. Now Tonga is confronting the real cost of the riots.

A new Foreign Exchange Control Act 2018 that gives the National Reserve Bank of Tonga sweeping powers to selectively stop Tongan residents from investing offshore and from holding overseas bank accounts, property and other offshore assets, is not currently being enforced. The Governor of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga, Dr Ngongo Kioa, said today that the new Act awaits regulations and directives from Crown Law.

Tonga’s official foreign reserve continued to grow as the National Reserve Bank of Tonga recorded an increase of $26.8 million for the month of June. The reserves rose to $468.7 million, equivalent to 8.1 months of imports.

Trade challenges in the Pacific region, including Tonga, will be looked at by the World Trade Organization (WTO) at the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting this week, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 25-26 May. WTO Director General, Roberto Azevedo, expresses an opinion that more can be done to support economic growth and development in Tonga and across the Pacific. UPDATED.

Foreign currency exchange operations by unauthorized dealers has become a major concern for the National Reserve Bank of Tonga, who want to shut down the involvement of retail shops in Tonga offering the services illegally to their customers. They are hoping the public will report illegal activities.

New financial knowledge and skills have been developed in the Pacific Islands over the last seven years following initiatives by banks to broaden access to financial services for many more people. Ressa Price, the ANZ regional Executive Director for the Pacific, visiting Tonga on November 16, released a report on the the impact of the bank's MoneyMinded program that was launched in 2010 in a number of Pacific Islands countries,