Catastrophe greets aid workers in Vanuatu

REUTERS – The first aid teams to reach Vanuatu reported widespread devastation on Sunday as authorities declared a state of emergency after a “monster” cyclone tore through the Pacific island nation. With winds of more than 300kmh, Cyclone Pam razed homes, smashed boats and washed away roads and bridges as it struck late on Friday…

PNG open for business, says O’Neill

RNZI: Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister says there’s never been a better time to invest in the country, RNZI reports. Peter O’Neill made the comment at an Australia PNG Business Council event in Sydney where he highlighted opportunities in areas outside the resources sector. He outlined government plans to expand the agricultural sector through private…

Whose side are we on?

Fiji Times – EXILED  West Papuan pro-independence leader Benny Wenda is hoping Fiji will support his movement’s bid for membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group. He said becoming a member of the MSG would provide the platform the indigenous West Papuans needed to raise issues such as the alleged atrocities by Indonesian security forces against…

FFA praises fishing projects in PNG

THE Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has commended two fisheries project planned for Rabaul, in East New Britain, saying they will have vast economic benefits. Justin Ilakini, based with the FFA in Honiara, said that last week in Kokopo during a validation workshop for East New Britain fisheries five-year development plan 2015-21. He said…

Support for more women in banking industry

The National –  ANZ PNG chief executive officer Mark Baker says the visibility for female employees in the banking industry is important for them to advance in their profession. 
 ANZ celebrated this year’s International Women’s Day yesterday with the theme “Make it happen”.
Baker said as a global bank, ANZ recognised the importance of diversity…

BSP launches promotion

Fiji Times – THE Bank of South Pacific (BSP) has announced special financing for women who want to buy cars this month. In recognition of International Women’s Day this month, the bank said any woman who applied for a car loan with BSP would have the establishment fee on the loan waived. BSP country manager…

Vodafone Fiji in top 10 for speed

Fiji Times – VODAFONE Fiji has been ranked the fastest provider of broadband speeds in the Pacific region, beating top mobile providers Vodafone New Zealand, Optus and Telstra in Australia. According to global leader in broadband speed testing, Ookla, Fiji was second to M1 Singapore in the Asia Pacific. The results were based on the…

MSG airlines partnership takes off

A PARTNERSHIP agreement between the airlines of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu is now in. The MOU will see shared promotion and sales of the three Melanesia airlines and a codeshare arrangment on a PNG to Vanuatu route via Solomon Islands. Solomon Airlines commercial services manager Gus Kraus says the agreement is the…