Running a business in Tonga is getting harder, according to a new World Bank report titled “Doing Business 2015”. The annual report assesses the “ease of doing business” in countries across the world. Tonga's ranking was dragged down by poor ratings for property registration, difficulties in resolving insolvency and poor shareholder rights.
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Results for Economy and Trade
Friday 9 January 2015
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Monday 22 December 2014
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
With domestic inflation easing since June and headline inflation well below the reference range of 6-8% there are no inflationary pressures on the monetary policy stance in the near term, the National Reserve Bank of Tonga reported on December 17.

Tuesday 18 November 2014
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Employees at the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) can take mortgages starting on November 14, 2014, following the Gazetting of a new order.

Thursday 30 October 2014
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Washington, USA.
Tonga's economy is set to receive a boost after the World Bank today approved a second USD$5 million operation to support growth through the government's national development strategy.

Thursday 23 October 2014
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Australia
The Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) says ongoing negotiations for the controversial free trade agreement known as PACER-Plus are creating an unbalanced agreement against the interests of the Pacific Islands. - Adam Wolfenden.

Monday 29 September 2014
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The inflation rate for the month of August this year 2014 was almost three times higher than the inflation rate for the month of August last year 2013.

Thursday 25 September 2014
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An August completion report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has indicated challenges facing privatization and fiscal sustainability in Tonga.
Thursday 18 September 2014
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan currency (Pa’anga) has shown a continuing decline against the New Zealand and Australian dollars over the last 15 years, and the pa'anga is, arguably, in its worst year ever against its major trading partners.
Tuesday 12 August 2014
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Ministry of Revenue & Customs is announcing a new small business tax after changes to the Income Tax Law that brings everyone into the new turnover system that began on 1 July 2014. The new tax is compulsory unless business owners apply for an option to remain in the current profit based system.

Thursday 7 August 2014
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Washington, USA
A need to continue to improve the business environment in Tonga and to bolster confidence is stressed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its 2014 country report for Tonga released today, which also notes that the Tongan economy is rebounding supported by agricultural exports and post-cyclone reconstruction activity.

Wednesday 9 July 2014
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An Asian Development Bank report has stated that the Tongan economy grew 1.5% for the year 2014 (ending 30 June).

Tuesday 17 June 2014
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga has two accumulating government debts that the Minister of Finance, Dr 'Aisake Eke plans to address during the 2014-15 Financial year.

Friday 2 May 2014
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A rise in Tonga's Gross Domestic Product in the coming years will be driven primarily by the reconstruction of Ha'apai, according to the IMF 2014 Article IV consultation report on Tonga, which also recommended a broading of the Consumption Tax base.

Wednesday 9 April 2014
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Geneva, Switzerland
The revised WTO Agreement on Government Procurement GPA entered into force on 6 April 2014. The parties to the revised GPA will see gains in market access of an estimated US$80 billion to US$100 billion annually for their businesses. – WTO 7 April 2014.

Thursday 3 April 2014
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan economy is expected to rebound during the 2014 Financial Year, according to the Asian Development Bank Economic Outlook for 2014.

Friday 21 March 2014
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is weeding out corruption from its development projects, barring any firm or individual it believes is cheating development projects.

Thursday 27 February 2014
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Cyclone Ian could be a blessing in disguise for Tonga's struggling economy, with the Reserve Bank now predicting an economic stimulation from the inflow of new development assistance.

Sunday 16 February 2014
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Geneva, Switzerland
An important review of Tonga's trade policy by the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland, from February 11-13, found that the Pacific island nation faces a backlog of reforms that are required to modernize and streamline its legal and regulatory frameworks for economic development. Tonga's imports continue to outstrip its exports by a factor of at least 10:1 annually and over 50% of its imports are for fuel and food.

Friday 6 December 2013
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's banks remain flush with funds, and are being urged to lend more to help stimulate an economy that looks as if it has stalled this year, as all key industries in Tonga except for construction recorded falls in lending, according to figures released today.

Thursday 5 December 2013
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
During its first year of operation Tonga's new National Retirement Benefits Fund collected over $6.15 million pa‘anga from its membership of 4,304 employees and 308 employers, and may expect to double its membership in the future as more businesses join the statutory fund, whose administration has been supported by donor funding.
