Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has met with the Governor of the Yunnan Province while on his trip to China. Photo: Facebook/Fiji Government
Fiji/China visit
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has met with the Governor of the Yunnan Province, Wang Yubo, while on his trip to China.
The Fiji government said Rabuka and Wang Yubo explored opportunities for cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Rabuka said Fiji could learn a lot from Yunnan about innovative agricultural practices and development of infrastructure and tourism.
Governor Yubo told Rabuka Yunnan stands ready to enhance cooperation in trade and investment, people to people exchanges, poverty alleviation programs, and anti-narcotics strategy and higher education.
Papua New Guinea - business
The United States ambassador to Papua New Guinea says there's often frustration for American businesses wanting to operate in PNG.
Ann Marie Yastishock is quoted in the Post-Courier saying this is deterring investment.
She points to the example of StarLink, which she said was promised a licence in January but is still waiting.
The ambassador said this company is offering something that would reduce the cost of internet access and be helpful to communities across PNG.
Yastishock said one of the big sticking points about investing in PNG is the barriers foreign businesses face.
The PNG Minister of International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru, said PNG needs competition and the cost of doing business has to be driven down.
Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea's National ICT Authority chairman said the licensing of Starlink in the country is pending judicial review.
Noel Mobiha said this in response to references made in traditional and social media over the past six months querying the licensing of Starlink in PNG.
The Post-Courier reported no further comments will be made until the court has handed down its final decision.
Samoa - CHOGM
New Zealand is assisting Samoa to strengthen safety and security in the country as it prepares to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October.
It is expected to be attended by King Charles, who will deliver an address to leaders and representatives of the 56 independent Commonwealth nations.
On Thursday at the Faleolo International Airport, prime minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and New Zealand high commissioner Si'alei van Toor marked the handover of security scanning equipment to be installed at the international airport and conference venues.
Si'alei van Toor said the support is underpinned by a partnership spanning more than 15 years, which has brought together the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority, the Samoa Airport Authority, and other Samoa Government enforcement and border agencies.
Tonga - charity
Banana boxes are being sent from New Zealand to Tonga, with donations including clothing, household utensils, and medical goods.
The St Vincent de Paul organisation in Porirua, near Wellington, is sending the goods for a new shop for the Tonga St Vincent de Paul Society.
Arthur Schultz from St Vincent de Paul said the new shop will be the main lifeblood in terms of a consistent income to support their programs.
"It's what they request; it's not what we think they should have," he said.
"The Tongan project is going to [get] give them [to] take ownership of and help the needy with their own country.
"So that's the focus in the banana boxes and that will assist the set-up of this shop predominantly in Tonga."