Authors: Matt Coleman — Partner, Construction, Melbourne (bio link) Wavie Kendino Leki — Partner and Head of Office, Port Moresby (bio link) Steve Patrick — Partner, Commercial/Corporate, Port Moresby (bio link) Ian Clarke, OBE — Special Counsel and Consultant, Corporate, Sydney (bio link) Executive Summary The Pacific Quality Infrastructure Pri...

Vanuatu’s tourism sector is showing strong signs of recovery, according to the January–June 2025 International Visitor Survey (IVS) released jointly by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO). The survey, conducted under SPTO’s Pacific Tourism Data Initiative and funded by the New Zealand government, provides detail...

Pacific Lime and Cement Limited has provided an update on construction progress at its Central Lime Project (CLP) in Papua New Guinea, reporting that activities remain on schedule and within budget. Construction continues to gain momentum across earthworks, wharf construction, access infrastructure, and early-stage processing facilities. Key highlig...

The President of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, unveiled the country’s new polymer banknote series today at the Grand Pacific Hotel. The launch was attended by Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka, cabinet ministers, members of Parliament, the diplomatic corps, and representatives from the private sector. President Lala...

Fiji has surpassed its sugar export quotas to the United States for five consecutive years, reaffirming the reliability of the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) under the U.S. Tariff-Rate Quota (TRQ) system. Minister for Sugar and Multi-ethnic Affairs Charan Jeath Singh told Parliament that since 2020, Fiji has not only met but exceeded its allocated quota ...

The Lenders’ Technical Advisors (LTA) Nor Consult have concluded their final engagement for 2025 with stakeholders of the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP). The mission brought together representatives from the Project Office (PO) of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG), Tina Hydropower Limited (THL), Hyundai Engineering Corporation (HE...

Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), together with representatives from the Ministry of Rural Development, the Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace & Ecclesiastical Affairs, the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, the Commodities Export Marketing Authority, Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands,...

The United Kingdom Government, through its High Commission in Honiara, has signed a Technical Agreement with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to commence work on Solomon Islands’ re-entry into the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The EITI is a global initiative aimed at promoting open and accountable management of oil, gas, and...

The Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) is making significant progress in strengthening direct export pathways for copra and cocoa, aiming to maximize value for local farmers and the national economy. CEMA is moving away from reliance on intermediaries, engaging directly with international manufacturers to ensure higher returns, improved mark...

The Solomon Islands government today launched the second phase of the Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP), in partnership with China and backed by a $10 million grant. The move reflects deepening ties between the two nations since their formal diplomatic alignment in 2019.  The program aims to boost social and economic development, improve liv...

Fiji has achieved a significant milestone with the successful export of a three-tonne commercial trial shipment of Ripley Queen pineapples to New Zealand. Coordinated through the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways’ Agriculture Trade & Marketing Research Programme, the shipment showcased the quality and export potential of locally grown pineapples. ...

Fiji’s resurgent economy and widening investment prospects took centre stage as Australian and Fijian business and government leaders gathered on the Gold Coast for the 29th Australia–Fiji Business Forum from 22 to 24 October 2025. Hosted by the Australia Fiji Business Council in partnership with the Fiji Australia Business Council, the annual forum remai...

The Solomon Islands government has taken a key step towards enhancing connectivity in the country’s remote eastern islands with the completion of community consultations and preliminary site surveying for a proposed Greenfield Airport on Vanikoro Island, Temotu Province. From 9–30 October 2025, an official team led by the Ministry of Communication and ...

The Solomon Islands’ push for cleaner, more reliable and affordable energy gained renewed momentum as the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP) took part in one of the world’s most influential hydropower gatherings, Hydro2025, held 21–24 October in Thessaloniki, Greece. The event brought together engineers, financiers, policymakers and envi...

The government has endorsed the Commercial Use of Marine Areas Bill 2025, clearing the way for the return of proprietary ownership of marine areas, or qoliqoli, used for commercial activities — chiefly tourism — to their customary owners. Once passed by Parliament, the Bill will repeal the Regulation of Surfing Areas Act 2010 and establish a new framew...

Outstanding women entrepreneurs from across the Pacific and Timor-Leste are among 22 high-potential participants selected for the prestigious UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) eTrade for Women Masterclass, organised with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and held from 18–21 November in Manila. The programme is de...

Lion One Metals Limited has announced new high-grade gold results from underground drilling at its 100% owned Tuvatu Gold Mine in Fiji. The company completed 2,322 metres of infill and grade control drilling, focusing on the Zone 5 area of the mine. The drilling targeted two main areas: the down-dip extension of the Zone 5 lodes below the lowest curren...

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Lloyds Metals & Energy Ltd. (LMEL), creating a formal platform for consultation on major development priorities across the region. President Ishmael Toroama described the agreement as an important milestone, saying the framework will enable Bougainville to ex...

The Solomon Islands Government welcomed the official launch of the Adamasia Submarine Cable Project, a major step forward in strengthening the nation’s digital connectivity and resilience. The launch was witnessed by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele at the margins of the 14th Australia–Solomon Islands Business Forum in Brisbane. The Adamasia Cable will p...

The Solomon Islands Government, through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), highlighted its partnership with the World Bank at the 14th Australia–Solomon Islands Business Forum, underscoring efforts to strengthen mining sector transparency, governance, and investment. Minister Derrick Rawcliffe Manuari delivered a keynote p...

“This is a model of partnership and shared prosperity,” Prime Minister Rabuka tells Tanoa Hotel staff and stakeholders Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka last night officially re-launched the newly upgraded Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi, commending the Reddy Group and Tanoa Hotels for their continued confidence in Fiji’s tourism industry. The P...

The Solomon Islands will re-open its Embassy and Permanent Mission in Geneva, strengthening diplomatic ties with Switzerland, the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and other international organizations based in the Swiss city. The move underscores the country’s commitment to increased engagement in multilateral diplomacy and international coop...

The Cook Islands has strengthened its scientific ties with China through a short marine research voyage aboard the Da Yang Hao, one of China’s leading deep-sea research vessels. A team of Cook Islanders joined the ship in Suva, Fiji, for a ~9-day cruise to Rarotonga, aiming to boost scientific collaboration and deepen understanding of the nation’s vast ma...

The Solomon Island's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has successfully completed a two-day workshop on the Digital Farmer Registry (DFR) and the revalidation of the E-Agriculture Strategy, a national digital platform designed to register and manage informati...