FFA, USP team up to train regional tuna ‘detectives’

FISHERIES inspectors, investigators and enforcement officers from across the Pacific head home from Suva this weekend, after spending almost a month honing their ‘investigative’ skills to help detect fisheries offences.  The fifth Pacific Islands Fisheries Evidence and Investigation Training Course, FETIC ended yesterday at the University of the South Pacific’s School of Maritime Studies. Participants…

Fiji’s own bank launched

A 100 per cent Fijian-owned commercial bank was launched last week. Home Finance Company Bank also unveiled its branding in a spirit of excitement and with great hope for the future. “It is our bank, the people’s bank, and I am delighted as Prime Minister to be here on this historic occasion and to share…

Teachers’ union makes investment

An initial investment of $4 million will take place at the new Vuda Hideaway Resort, a fifteen-minute drive from the Nadi International Airport. The resort is the second investment of the Fijian Teachers Union — Co-operative Thrift And Credit Ltd’s (FTU-CTCL) engagement in the tourism sector. During the ground breaking ceremony, board chairman Agni Deo…

Tax exemption for SMEs proposed

TAX exemption for local businesses is a way to encourage the grassroots to engage in small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has stressed. O’Neill said this during presentation of the draft SME policy and master plan by consultant Esther Igo on behalf of Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry last week, to members of…

O’Neill says SMEs need more support

THE small-to-medium enterprise (SME) is an important economic sector that needs further support, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said. During the presentation of the draft SME policy and master plan to members of parliament last week, O’Neill told Minister for Trade commerce and Industry Richard Maru that he was fully supporting the initiative. He said the…

Students spread peace and goodwill

AS many as 51 students from 12 schools in Lautoka are spreading peace and goodwill in the community. The project, an initiative of NGO Live and Learn’s environmental education, involves students spending two days beautifying Lautoka Hospital’s children’s ward. They also painted the veranda and tables and helped with the installation of a peace garden.…

SPC joins dengue fight

THE Secretariat of the Pacific Community has stepped in to assist the Ministry of Health in the continuing campaign against the dengue fever epidemic. The organisation has purchased insecticides to carry out mosquito control intervention for the next three months. “This financial support from SPC is an unusual response related to the specific nature of…