Results for Sponsored

Cargo throughput increased by 15% in 2016 compared to the previous year and this trend is expected to continue during major construction projects in the country, the Ports Authority Tonga stated in its 2016 Annual Report released today. Container throughput hit a record high and ships calls increased by 19% during the same period. Net Profit After Tax was $2.2 million, an increase of 16% from the 2014/15 result, allowing shareholders increased dividends. Pulusi 'o e Fakamatala Fakata’u 2016 – Ma'u Mafai ki he Ngaahi Taulanga 'o Tonga.

The first ever shipment of Tongan squash to China left Tonga this week, after Tongatapu exporter Nishi Trading successfully passed a strict quarantine inspection on Saturday, 26 November 2016. This important achievement took 18 months of negotiation and inspections leading to an initial protocol between the Governments of China and Tonga in May. This initiative was supported by PHAMA - the Pacific Horticultural & Agricultural Market Access Program.

An 18 month long project to support the development of the vanilla industry in Vava'u this year has also helped Tonga's MAFF and Australian development partners to better understand the challenges and opportunities faced by vanilla growers and the vanilla industry. Over 100 vanilla growers were directly assisted and 328 plantations monitored under the project, which has identified a need for new plantings, particularly on small family plantations.

Bank of South Pacific Tonga Ltd. last week opened new sub branches at Ha'apai and ‘Eua with fully Automated Teller Machine (ATMs) installed. BSP Country Head, Daniel Henson said renovations at the Vava'u branch were also opened by the Governor of Vava'u, Lord Fulivai, attended by the Chairman of Bank South Pacific, Sir Kostas Constantinou OBE.

The New Zealand Government is investing to improve aviation safety in eight Pacific Countries, including Tonga. Land users around airports are urged to attend consultations to be carried out before a national project commences in October 2016 focusing on Fua'amotu Airport (Tongatapu), Lupepau'u Airport (Vava'u), Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Airport (Ha'apai) and Kuini Mata'aho Airport (Niuatoputapu). Satellite technology will be used to develop new flight approaches, which will improve the ability of aircraft to land safely.

Digicel has launched faster internet connectivity to Ha'apai and Vava'u, which is five times faster than the current speed and it will also match data experience currently in Tongatapu. The internet speed will increase from 1Mbps to 5Mbps with 200Mbps capacity.

The National Reserve Bank of Tonga has recommenced the pay out of claims by depositors and creditors of the former Pacific International Commercial Bank. In a statement on August 11, the NRBT said that payments may be collected from the NRBT. The license of the PICB was revoked by the Reserve Bank on July 26.

Tonga Communications Corporation handed over a dividend cheque of $1.213 million pa'anga to the Government of Tonga as shareholder in the full and final dividend payment for the last financial year 2014-15. This is the second consecutive year that TCC is paying a dividend in excess of $1 million pa'anga, and growing rapidly year on year over the last five years.

Five new Shared Directors for Tonga's Transport Sector Public Enterprises have been named by the Ministry of Public Enterprises on May 9. The Transport Sector Board includes the Ports Authority Tonga, Tonga Airports Limited and Friendly Islands Shipping Agency.